Still life of fruit heaped in a basket, next to an urn

Jan van Huysum's Still life of fruit heaped in a basket, next to an urn is a painting created between 1730 and 1740. 



The artwork depicts a bountiful still life arrangement overflowing with a variety of fruits, including grapes (both green and dark purple), peaches, plums, and possibly pears. These fruits are clustered around a wicker basket, partially visible, and rest on a stone surface. 



The composition also includes a profusion of flowers and foliage. A large, vibrant orange-pink carnation is prominent, along with other smaller blossoms, including what appears to be a white peony or similar flower.  Lush green leaves and stems, some appearing to be from grapevines, intertwine throughout the arrangement. There are also dried or browning leaves and stems, adding a sense of natural decay and the passage of time. 



In the upper left background, a portion of a classical-style urn is visible, partially obscured by the foliage. Small insects, possibly butterflies or bees, are subtly depicted among the flowers and fruits, adding to the realism of the scene. The overall palette is rich and varied, with warm tones of peaches and oranges contrasting with the cool greens and purples of the grapes and leaves. The painting's dimensions are 60.2 cm x 79.9 cm. The artwork is housed in an institution whose name is not provided in the metadata.