Unlike the previous featured artist, Elisabetta Sirani, Rachel Ruysch lived a long and fruitful 86 years. It’s no wonder her passion for art developed early with a penchant for natural marvels like flowers, butterflies, lizards, and other creatures because she was raised the daughter of a physician/anatomist and botanist, Frederik Ruysch. Fortune reigned on her not only for familial connections, but she also benefited from early training by the master instructor, Willem van Aelst, beginning at age 15.
Nature’s Creatures Great and Small
In the Netherlands in a time when scant few women artists gained notoriety, Rachel thrived as her skillful canvases radiated life and movement depicting floral still life that included many varieties of nature’s living curiosities. Her artistic proficiency overshadowed contemporary male colleagues while she earned distinction throughout Europe.
Beetles, and Bees, and Lizards, Oh My
Because of her naturalist proclivities, interest in botany and living creatures spread across the Netherlands as new greenhouses and gardens cultivated new plant species for use in her still life paintings. Rachel’s paintings were not just decorative but sources of knowledge exhibiting a profound understanding of the physical world. Her still life paintings are filled with vibrancy of all colors of the rainbow with powerful use of chiaroscuro.
Not Only Dancing Backwards, But Giving Birth Ten Times
Women in general, during this time, were expected to engage in more conventional activities such as sewing and spinning. However, Rachel, after marrying the portrait painter, Juriaen Pool, unceasingly persisted with her career. Along the way, she gave birth to 10 children all the while painting and producing commissions for an international cadre of followers and collectors.
In spite of her stellar reputation during her lifetime, Rachel Ruysch is rarely depicted in contemporary history books. Therefore, I am honoring her as the epitome of a Ginger Rogers Dancing Backwards (in Clogs?).
Spring Unveiling, Bronze Coast Gallery, May 2 through 4, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Thank you for this lesson in this artist. Her paintings are stunning!
I am so glad you enjoyed this lesson about Rachel Ruysch. She was a real heroine following her bliss producing magnificent art while mothering her ten children. Unbelievable!