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Nationalmuseum
Artist: Christiaen Striep (1633/1634–1673)
Alternative names: Christiaan Streep, Christiaan Janse Streep, Christiaan Jansz. Streep, Christiaen Streep, Christiaen Jansz. Streep, Christiaan Striep, Christiaan Jansz. Striep, Christiaen Jansz. Striep, Christiaan Strijp, Christiaan Jansz. Strijp, Christiaen Strijp, Christiaen Jansz. Strijp
Dutch painter
Work period: between circa 1655 and circa 1673
Work location: Amsterdam
Title: Herbs, Butterflies and a Serpent
Object type: Painting
Description: This still life painting forms an entire little natural scene. Against the dark background vivid whitish butterflies flutter among leaves and plants. But something very dramatic is also about to happen—the grayish yellow snake stretches to catch one of the butterflies in its open jaws. In many Dutch still lifes from the seventeenth century the artists included a variety of symbols. In this case the snake could be interpreted as a symbol for Satan, while the luminous butterflies could symbolize Jesus or the human soul.
Date: Unknown date
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: Height: 60 cm (23.6 in). Width: 48 cm (18.9 in).
Framed: Height: 80 cm (31.5 in). Width: 67 cm (26.4 in). Depth: 8 cm (3.1 in).
SKU: 273836
