Rachel Ruysch: Nature into Art

by Rachel Ruysch (Contributor)

Genres: Art, History

224 pages, Hardcover

Published December 24, 2024

Reviews

[Anne Earney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about the artwork of Dutch floral painter Rachel Ruysch, who painted in the late 17th century. The book includes beautiful reproductions of the paintings, including closeups of neat details, particularly butterflies, lizards and other "wildlife" she included. I've been to museums that own some of her work, but don't recall actually seeing her work. I'd love to see a show - or even one painting - in person, now that I know so much more about her and the impact of her work.

There are essays in the book from a variety of contributors covering a variety of subjects, including where she might have run across the flowers she included, many of which were not native to the Netherlands, and a book of ekphrastic poetry about her poetry, published in 1750.

[AskNezka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the catalogue that accompanies the special exhibition organized and on view at three art museums in 2025: Alte Pinakothek Munich, Toledo Museum of Art, and MFA Boston
This is amazing work of art and contextual botanical scholarship on the life, times, and connections of one of the most famous Dutch women artists who was well regarded during her lifetime.

[Gihan Zohdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ravishing and scholarly. A precious book as publications on the subject are quite rare.