Sven Dorst

If flowers could talk... In Forever Flowers, restorer and head of the conservation studio of The Phoebus Foundation, Sven Van Dorst (1990), offers a fresh perspective on Flemish flower still lifes from the early modern period (1600-1700). Eight paintings, prints, and drawings from the collection of The Phoebus Foundation serve as the basis to discuss the intricacies of this genre. With his unique approach, the author-restorer sheds light on the knowledge and craftsmanship behind painted bouquets. Through material-technical research and experiments, he establishes connections and demonstrates the outstanding expertise of the early modern creators of these painted gems. In this book, Van Dorst unfolds new insights about eight fascinating works and invites the reader to view the flower still life genre differently. One by one, intriguing stories blossom about the religious significance of flowers, exotic species and international connections, the use of real butterfly wings in paintings, and previously undiscovered aspects of these refined still lifes.

Seventeeth-century Dutch art is famed throughout the world. Yet how ‘Dutch’ are those paintings in actual fact? Did the countless history pieces, landscapes, portraits, still lifes and scenes from everyday life truly originate in cities like Amsterdam, Haarlem, Delft and Leiden? Or might the cradle of these genres actually be located somewhere else? This book presents over 90 masterpieces by Flemish and Dutch artists to show how 17th century Dutch painting could never have flourished the way it did without the foundations laid in 16th century Antwerp. Thoroughly researched, it tells the story of the talented and accomplished artists and merchants who migrated north in search of religious liberty and new commercial opportunities after Antwerp fell to Spanish Catholic troops in 1585. With text contributions by Koenraad Jonckheere, professor of art history at Ghent University and author of the bestseller A New History of Western Art, Micha Leeflang, curator at the Museum Catharijneconvent, and Sven Van Dorst, head of the restoration studio at The Phoebus Foundation, and others.