Paul Theodor van Brussel (Dutch, 1754-1795)

Still life with fruit, flowers, a birds nest with a fly, lizard and grasshopper
signed lower centre 'P T v Brussel f.' and again indistinctly lower right
oil on canvas
51 x 39.5cm

The highly decorative and colourful nature of this painting probably reflect the artist’s initial training in tapestry and wall painting. Nevertheless, the inclusion of the fly, often symbolising decay, and the lizard, symbolising death, add a darker element to the picture and place it within the strong Dutch tradition of ‘vanitas’ still life painting, which often used such symbols to subtly suggest the transience of life and certainty of death. Unfortunately, this was brutally true for van Brussel, who drowned ice skating at the age of 41.