Aelst’s painting "Flowers in a Silver Vase" (16th century), with its decaying tulip blossom in the center, is a testament to the vast importance of flowers, and tulips in particular, to the economy of the Netherlands at this time in history. Next to the tulip is a yellow European chrysanthemum. Composer Joseph Bonnet’s "Lied des Chrysanthèmes" gives a musical illustration of the serene simplicity of flowers. The sweetness and quietness of the music mimics the pondering of a precious, elegant flower in full bloom.

Artwork:

Willem van Aelst

Flowers in a Silver Vase, 1663

Oil on canvas, 26 5/8 x 21 1/2 in. (67.6 x 54.6 cm)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Hermann Schuelein, 51.21

Photograph courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Composition: Joseph Bonnet, "Lied des Chrysanthèmes" (1908)