The greatest Dutch still-life artist: Two flower paintings from the secret studio of Jan van Huysum

At the height of his career in the first half of the 18th century, a Van Huysum still life could command five times the price of a painting by Rembrandt. Despite his success, the artist was obsessively secretive about his work and refused even his family access to his studio.

Fruit and flowers in a wicker basket and Flowers in a terracotta vase are among his most important works.

Jan van Huysum (1682-1749), right: Fruit and flowers in a wicker basket. Oil on panel. 31⅜ x 23⅝ in (79.7 x 60 cm). Left: Flowers in a terracotta vase, 1734. Oil on panel. 31⅞ x 23⅞ in (81 x 60.6 cm). Both offered in the Old Masters Evening Sale in London on 30 June 2026 at Christie’s in London