10 Iconic Floral Still Lifes You Need to Know

1. Jan Davidsz de Heem, Vase of Flowers

One of the most iconic floral still lifes is a stunning work by Jan Davidsz de Heem. Unlike many other flower paintings from the early 17th century, this piece is a vibrant explosion of color. The flowers seem to spill over the edge of the vase, creating a dynamic, lively scene. This is a departure from the more restrained, rigid bouquets often seen in still lifes of the period.

Another fascinating detail in the painting is the reflection on the vase. It shows the cloudy sky through the studio window, along with objects on the windowsill, adding depth and realism to the work. De Heem, a celebrated artist of the Dutch Golden Age, is renowned for his exquisite still lifes that capture both the beauty and complexity of nature.

2. Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Flower Still Life

Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder (1573–1621) was a pioneering Dutch still-life painter and art dealer. He is regarded as one of the first artists to elevate floral still lifes to an independent genre. His compositions are known for their symmetry, with each flower rendered with scientific precision. Bosschaert often worked in small formats, typically on copper, and his paintings sometimes carried religious or symbolic meanings.

Commonly featured flowers in his works include roses and tulips, much like the one we’re examining here. Notice the meticulous detail in the petals, capturing their delicate textures. Even the mantis and butterfly are rendered with remarkable realism, showcasing Bosschaert’s skill and attention to nature’s finest details.

3. Rachel Ruysch, Vase with Flowers

Rachel Ruysch (1664–1750) stands out as one of the most exceptional artists of the Dutch Golden Age. Renowned for her unique style, she earned international acclaim and is considered one of the most skilled female still-life painters in history. Ruysch’s work is known for its playful compositions and vibrant colors, as well as Baroque drama. Each petal in her paintings is rendered with extraordinary attention to detail, creating a soft and delicate appearance.

Ruysch often used dark backgrounds, a signature of late 17th-century floral still lifes, which allowed her vivid bouquets to shine even more. The dynamic energy in her works is further emphasized by her asymmetrical compositions, where flowers drop and wild stems stretch, giving a sense of movement and life to the still scene. You can read more about the painting above in our masterpiece story.

4. Sophia L. Crownfield, Three Studies for Poppies

Sophia L. Crownfield (1863–1929) was an American artist with a unique background. While she is not typically classified as a still-life painter, she made a significant mark in the art world. Crownfield may have received some formal art training, as she was listed as a “china painter” in the 1889 Baltimore City Directory. Growing up in Baltimore, she moved to New York later that year and honed her skills further at the Art Students League.

Although she is better known for her work in design, Crownfield painted everything from delicate graphite sketches to vibrant color studies. She became a sought-after designer for some of the most prominent silk and wallpaper manufacturers in the U.S., including the Cheney Silk Company, which was one of her regular employers. While floral still lifes were not her primary focus, her versatility as an artist contributed to her lasting legacy.

5. Claude Monet, Still Life with Flowers and Fruit

Claude Monet created this floral still life in his studio, yet traces of his outdoor painting experiments are evident in the work. Monet was known for his exploration of different techniques, and this piece showcases his innovative approach. The outlines are softened, a distinctive feature of his style, while the brushstrokes vary: short and dense in the flowers, sketchy in the apples, and flat on the tablecloth.

Monet also experimented with light, using it to bring movement to the objects and surfaces in the painting. Every element—whether the flowers, the apples, or the cloth—seems to interact with the light and with each other. These techniques were groundbreaking at the time and became foundational to the Impressionist movement, marking a major shift in how artists approached color, light, and composition.

6. Odilon Redon, Vase of Flowers

Odilon Redon (1840–1916) was a Symbolist painter known for his dark, unsettling figures and strange creatures drawn from fantastical, almost nightmarish realms. In the early years of his career, before the 1890s, he worked primarily with charcoal and lithographs, which became known as his “noirs.” This phase was marked by mysterious, shadowy imagery. However, after the 1890s, Redon transitioned to using pastels and oils, a shift inspired by Japonisme. This change led his work toward a more expressive, vibrant style, and he is now seen as a precursor to Surrealism.

Floral themes emerged in his later years, possibly influenced by his encounter with botanist Armand Clavaud in Bordeaux. This painting, like others from this period, reflects a new fascination with the delicate beauty of flowers, a stark contrast to the dark subjects of his earlier works.

7. Gustave Courbet, Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase

Gustave Courbet (1819–1877) was a central figure in the Realist movement in France. He painted only what he could see, rejecting the idealized forms of Academic and Romantic painting. His work paved the way for Impressionism, challenging established norms. While much of Courbet’s art carries political meaning, as he was an outspoken communist and anti-monarchist, he also created stunning still lifes, seascapes, landscapes, and nudes.

Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase is a perfect example of his skill in realistic painting, with no deeper symbolism other than capturing the natural beauty of flowers. The composition is striking in its simplicity—Courbet’s meticulous technique allows us to see how the flowers naturally rest in the vase, giving the piece a lifelike presence that showcases his mastery of realism.

8. Georgia O’ Keefe, Red Canna

Georgia O’Keeffe’s large-scale flower paintings are among her most iconic works. These magnified, almost abstract blooms radiate an intense emotional presence that captivates viewers. When the artist first unveiled this series, many critics insisted that the paintings represented a commentary on women’s sexuality. However, O’Keeffe consistently rejected this interpretation.

She explained that her focus was on the act of seeing—encouraging viewers to look more deeply, to shed preconceived notions, and to engage with the world in a new way. In her view, flowers are loved for many reasons, yet people often fail to truly observe them. By making the flowers large and emphasizing their details, O’Keeffe invited people to slow down and truly see, offering an invitation to appreciate the beauty in the smallest things.

9. Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, Roses

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller (1793–1863) was a prominent Austrian painter and writer, known for his contributions to the Biedermeier period, which shaped Central European art and culture from 1815 to 1848. This era saw the rise of the middle class, and artists began creating works that appealed to their tastes and sensibilities. Waldmüller’s most celebrated works include his floral still lifes and landscapes.

What stands out in his painting Roses, is the delicate accuracy of the rose petals. Their vivid pink color and natural, organic shape are so lifelike that one can almost smell them. Even the vase, with its reflective surface and intricate detail, showcases Waldmüller’s exceptional skill. A strong advocate for natural observation and plein air painting, he challenged the academic conventions of his time, earning both admiration and criticism. His bold stance against Academism put him at odds with the established art world, but it also showcased his forward-thinking approach.

Unfortunately, during the Nazi regime (1933–1945), Waldmüller’s works became entangled in dark history. His paintings were looted from Jewish collectors and sent to Adolf Hitler’s Führer Museum in Linz, where they were displayed as part of the regime’s collection.

10. Fernando Botero, Flowers

Fernando Botero (1932–2023) is best known for his signature voluminous style, which makes his portraits and paintings of people instantly recognizable. However, Botero also applied this distinctive approach to still lifes, infusing them with exaggerated proportions and vibrant colors. Even though he is most known for this unique style, Botero liked to pay homage to the Old Masters’ works. He studied them during his time as a young student in Europe in the 1950s. Botero’s still lifes, like his figures, are characterized by bold shapes and a playful yet reverent interpretation of classical art.

We’ve got a surprise for you! If you enjoyed this selection of floral still lifes, you can get some of these works as postcards in our Flowers in Art postcard set. It features artists like Claude Monet, Gustave Courbet, Rachel Ruysch, and Sophie L. Crownfield, among others! These high-quality postcards allow you to enjoy your favorite floral still lifes at home or share it with your loved ones. Get your set here!