Balthasar van der Ast (1593/94 - 1657) was a Dutch Golden Age painter who specialized in still lifes of flowers and fruit, as well as painting a number of remarkable shell still lifes; he is considered to be a pioneer in the genre of shell painting. His still lifes often contain insects and lizards. He was born in Middelburg and died at Delft.
Flowers in a Vase with Shells and Insects Date probably c.1619
Medium oil on panel
Dimensions 47 X 36.8 cm (18.5 X 14.5 in)
ttd
