Attributed to Abraham Brueghel

Attributed to ABRAHAM BRUEGHEL (Antwerp, 1631- 1697).
"Flower border with bust".
Oil on copper.
It presents faults in the pictorial surface.
It has a frame of the late seventeenth century.
Measurements: 20 x 16.5 cm; 54 x 47 cm (frame).
This oil on copper, attributed to Abraham Brueghel (Antwerp, 1631-1697), is an exquisite sample of the refinement and meticulousness characteristic of the Flemish Baroque in the field of floral painting. The composition displays a profusion of flowers in various stages of bloom, with a vibrant chromatic palette that highlights the botanical diversity depicted in meticulous detail. Roses, peonies, anemones and other floral species form a garland framing a sculptural bust of classical appearance, set in a dark niche.
The arrangement of the elements reveals a remarkable mastery of the chiaroscuro technique, where the light caresses the petals and leaves, contrasting with the deep shadows of the architectural background. This juxtaposition between the ephemeral nature of the flowers and the stony solidity of the bust generates a symbolic tension: the fragility of the perishable versus the permanence of art and memory. In the tradition of Flemish still life and garland painting, this work is not only an exercise in technical virtuosity, but also a reflection on the transience of beauty and the inevitability of the passage of time.
The importance of this work lies in its ability to synthesize the Flemish influence with the Italianate taste that Abraham Brueghel developed throughout his career. A member of the famous dynasty of Brueghel painters, Abraham moved to Italy, where his style evolved by incorporating a more voluptuous sense of composition and a greater chromatic richness. His artistic legacy is part of the transition from rigorous Flemish naturalism to a more decorative and expressive sensibility, which influenced the floral painting of later generations.