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Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary
Oil on copper, 11.5 × 14 cm, by Jan van Kessel the Elder, 1653
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
 

Scientific curiosity about the natural world flourished during the Dutch Golden Age, as reflected in this work. A variety of carefully observed insects—including butterflies, beetles, a bee, and other creatures—are arranged around a flowering sprig of rosemary, demonstrating Van Kessler's remarkable skill in capturing minute details and textures. He specialised in small-scale cabinet paintings of insects and flowers, combining artistic beauty with the period's interest in natural history and entomological study.