Three moths, two butterflies and a bumble bee (1646)

Dated 1646, "Three moths, two butterflies and a bumble bee" is an artwork by Wenceslaus Hollar. Historical background, 1646: The seventeenth century is the age of the Baroque, which favoured dramatic light, movement, and strong emotion in the work of painters in Italy, Spain, and Flanders. In the Dutch Republic, a prosperous middle-class market supported landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and scenes of daily life painted at a modest scale for the home. It is listed in the Plants & Animals collection. The image is in landscape orientation. Background on Plants & Animals: Naturalists and artists often worked together, especially on voyages and in published surveys of flora and fauna. Images of plants and animals are valued both for the care of their observation and for their decorative appeal.

"Three moths, two butterflies and a bumble bee" is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Flora and fauna subjects make an interior feel softer and more alive, adding a natural rhythm that works well in both traditional and contemporary spaces. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.

Czech, 1607–1677

If you like the visual language of Wenceslaus Hollar, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.