87 - Spanish School, 18th century.

Spanish School, 18th century. “Still Lifes with Flowers.” Oil on canvas (x2): Relined. Measurements: 35 x 24 cm (x2); 51 x 41.5 cm (frames, x2). Both paintings follow the tradition of the floral still life, a genre that flourished in Spanish painting from the 17th century onward and found one of its leading exponents in artists such as Juan de Arellano (1614–1676). The influence of the Flemish school was decisive in the introduction and spread of these subjects in Spain, where flower vases gradually gained autonomy as a pictorial genre, becoming distinct from compositions featuring fruits, food, and household objects. During the 18th century, flower vases were particularly popular in court circles and in the residences of the nobility and the wealthy bourgeoisie. Their appeal lay both in the painter’s ability to reproduce the variety and beauty of nature and in their ornamental function, as these compositions were intended to beautify domestic interiors and were often arranged in pairs or as part of a series. In this context, floral painting became a highly sought-after genre, characterized by its rich color palette and the compositional freedom it afforded the artist. The 18th-century Spanish school maintained a close connection with earlier Baroque models, while also incorporating Flemish and Italian influences. The treatment of the dark backgrounds, the arrangement of the bouquets, and the contrast between the luminosity of the flowers and the understated setting all hark back to that tradition of still lifes in which the focus lies on the observation of natural forms and their decorative potential. The fact that they form a pair is one of the most interesting aspects of the set. Although each bouquet features a different arrangement and combination of flowers, both paintings share the same format, treatment of light, and compositional structure, establishing a relationship of balance and visual correspondence. This approach reflects the period’s taste for paired compositions, intended to decorate rooms and reception areas.