Netherlands / Holland: 'Still Life with Flowers', Hans Bollongier (1623-1672), featuring the tulip 'Semper Augustus', star bloom of the 'Tulipomania' phenomenon

Tulip mania or tulipomania (Dutch names include: tulpenmanie, tulpomanie, tulpenwoede, tulpengekte and bollengekte) was a period in the Dutch Golden Age during which contract prices for bulbs of the recently introduced tulip reached extraordinarily high levels and then suddenly collapsed.

At the peak of tulip mania, in February 1637, some single tulip bulbs sold for more than 10 times the annual income of a skilled craftsman.

Although styled 'Still Life', the floral arrangement is approached by caterpillars and other creatures, perhaps intended by Bollongier as an allegory of the passing of 'Tulipomania'

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History