Notes

At a time when the strictures of form often overwhelmed an artist, this example of a Frans Oerder still life is remarkable for its looseness of style. Native to Europe, the cow parsley occupies the central position in the painting, while it’s softly falling flowers and extended stems create a sense of worldly beauty. This is enhanced by the details of Japonisme – the two figurines and the floral wallpaper – that was particularly influential on European art from the late nineteenth century. Esmé Berman describes Oerder’s work as delighting “in all aspects of the visual experience – the play of light and shade; the many subtle variations of a single colour; the texture of copper and the sheen of sun upon the landscape”.¹

¹ Esmé Berman. (1983) Art & Artist of South Africa. Cape Town and Rotterdam: AA Balkema. Page 313.