Flowers in a glass vase on a marble ledge

Still life and flower paintings were popular in 17th-century Dutch art. Like this one, they often serve to reminds us of the passage of time and the short nature of life. The flowers look beautiful at first glance. However, they are on the brink of rot. Some of the petals are starting to wilt, and there are holes gnawed into the rose’s leaves. Insects, like the bluebottle and snail, also suggest decay.