Rachel Ruysch – Dutch Flower Painter

Rachel Ruysch (1664 -1750) was a Dutch still life painter best known for her artwork involving flowers. She was undoubtedly inspired by her father, a very famous botanist of the era. She had a long career of painting starting at age 15 and continuing producing excellent works well into her 80s. The backgrounds of her paintings were very dark, which was the style for flower paintings at the time. Later in her life, she was influenced by another painter who painted lighter backgrounds, and she too adapted that style. You’ll find many examples of her works in our pattern set, with flowers in bouquets, vases, and with various props including a butterfly, fruits, tree trunks, tulips, insects, and bees.