A still life with roses, irises, hollyhocks and other flowers along with butterflies and a cockatoo Hans Zatzka (1859-1945)

The composition presents a lavish arrangement of flora and fauna on a dark wooden surface. A profusion of blooms dominates the scene – roses in varying shades of pink and red, vibrant irises with their characteristic purple hues, delicate hollyhocks reaching upwards, alongside other less readily identifiable flowers. The artist has rendered these blossoms with meticulous detail, capturing the subtle gradations of color and texture that define each petal and leaf. Butterflies flit amongst the blooms, adding a sense of movement and lightness to the otherwise dense arrangement.
A cockatoo, positioned on the lower right side, observes the floral display with an alert posture. It is placed near a small glass bowl containing water, suggesting a potential source of refreshment or reflection. Several insects – including what appears to be a grasshopper – are scattered around the base of the flowers and the bowl, contributing to the overall sense of naturalism and teeming life.
The arrangement itself seems deliberately opulent, almost overflowing its container – a silver-toned urn that sits centrally within the composition. The dark background serves to accentuate the vibrancy of the colors and the richness of the textures in the foreground.
Beyond a purely decorative function, the painting hints at deeper symbolic layers. Flowers, particularly roses and irises, have historically been associated with themes of beauty, love, and transience. The inclusion of butterflies, symbols of transformation and the soul, reinforces this sense of fleeting beauty and the cyclical nature of life. The cockatoo, often representing vanity or a desire for attention, introduces an element of complexity – perhaps suggesting a commentary on human desires or the observers role in appreciating such ephemeral displays.
The presence of insects, while contributing to realism, can also be interpreted as reminders of decay and mortality, subtly contrasting with the idealized beauty of the flowers. The overall effect is one of carefully orchestrated abundance, inviting contemplation on themes of beauty, fragility, and the passage of time.