Flower Garland with Silver Fountain

This exquisite garland painting by Jan van den Hecke the Elder exemplifies the refined elegance of Flemish Baroque still life. A vibrant wreath of roses, tulips, lilies and other blossoms encircles a dark central void, from which a silver fountain subtly emerges—its gleam barely piercing the shadow, adding mystery and depth to the composition.

Van den Hecke, celebrated for his floral mastery, was active in Antwerp and Brussels, and worked for prominent patrons including Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria. His garland paintings often served devotional or decorative purposes, blending natural beauty with symbolic resonance.

Here, the contrast between the luminous flowers and the subdued background creates a theatrical tension, while the circular arrangement evokes eternity and divine harmony. The silver fountain, partially veiled, may allude to purity, life, or spiritual renewal; common allegories in 17th-century Flemish art.
A rare and poetic work that invites both visual delight and quiet reflection.

We are grateful to Prof. Fred Meijer for having authentified our work as an original Jan van den Hecke

oil on canvas, 105 x 80cm