Portrait of Jacob Marrel

Jacob Marrel: The 24 Most Famous Paintings, Documented

Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 24 works by Jacob Marrel in our catalogue

Summary

According to this ranking, Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche (1637) is the most famous painting by Jacob Marrel; the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, Carlsruhe, holds it. It is followed by Wreath of Flowers Encircling the Coat-of-Arms and Miniature of The Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I (1658) and Portrait of a woman called Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) (1679). This list draws on the 24 works by Jacob Marrel in the catalogue and records the 24 most famous, with date, holding museum and description for each entry.

1614 – 1681, Frankenthal Baroque Most works: Statens Museum For Kunst
Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche (1637) by Jacob Marrel1. Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche 1637 Wreath of Flowers Encircling the Coat-of-Arms and Miniature of The Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I (1658) by Jacob Marrel2. Wreath of Flowers Encircling the Coat-of-Arms and Miniature of The Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I 1658 Portrait of a woman called Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) (1679) by Jacob Marrel3. Portrait of a woman called Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) 1679

Jacob Marrel: top 10 entries of the list

1
Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche (1637) by Jacob Marrel

Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche

1637 · Oil On Canvas · Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, Carlsruhe

Shadows cling to the corners of a dark, arched stone niche, creating a stage where time itself seems to pause. Within this somber space, a collection of objects rests in a delicate, precarious arrangement. A skull, weathered and pale, stares out from the gloom, its hollow sockets a stark reminder of the inevitable end. Beside it, a violin lies in repose, its polished wood catching a sliver of light, representing…

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4
Flowers in a glass vase (1642) by Jacob Marrel

Flowers in a glass vase

1642 · Oil On Panel · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

Flowers in a glass vase is an oil on panel painting by the artist Jacob Marrel. Created between 1640 and 1645, this work captures a dense arrangement of botanical life. The medium of oil allows for a precise rendering of the subject matter upon the wooden support.

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5
A Glass Vase with Flowers (1652) by Jacob Marrel

A Glass Vase with Flowers

1652 · Oil On Canvas · Statens Museum For Kunst, Copenhagen

The oil on canvas work titled A Glass Vase with Flowers was executed by the artist Jacob Marrel. This painting measures 34.5 cm in height and 26 cm in width. The composition focuses on a central arrangement of botanical specimens contained within a glass vessel.

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6
En stentøjskrukke med blomster (1652) by Jacob Marrel

En stentøjskrukke med blomster

1652 · Oil On Canvas · Statens Museum For Kunst, Copenhagen

En stentøjskrukke med blomster is a work by the German still life painter Jacob Marrel. Born in Frankenthal in 1614, Marrel carried the quiet precision of his origins into the bustling markets of the North. His brush captured the stillness of nature, frozen in a moment of heavy, silent growth.

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7
Tulips in a vase with a caterpillar and a grasshopper on a stone ledge (1635) by Jacob Marrel

Tulips in a vase with a caterpillar and a grasshopper on a stone ledge

1635 · Oil On Canvas · Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

We are looking at Tulips in a vase with a caterpillar and a grasshopper on a stone ledge, a work by Jacob Marrel. This painting dates to 1635, a period when the artist was establishing his presence within the Dutch Golden Age tradition. It is a quiet, detailed study of botanical life, captured during a time of significant interest in the specific varieties of tulips that were being collected across…

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Jacob Marrel: list continued, 11 to 24

11Pronkstilleven (after Jan Davidsz. de Heem) (1649) by Jacob MarrelPronkstilleven (after Jan Davidsz. de Heem)1649 · Bavarian State Painting Collections 12Still life with flowers in a vase and a cockatoo (1651) by Jacob MarrelStill life with flowers in a vase and a cockatoo1651 · Centraal Museum 13Vase of Flowers (1645) by Jacob MarrelVase of Flowers1645 · National Gallery Prague 14Still Life with a Roemer, a Plate, Two Lobsters and Fruit by Jacob MarrelStill Life with a Roemer, a Plate, Two Lobsters and Fruit 15Bouquet Of Flowers In A Niche by Jacob MarrelBouquet Of Flowers In A Niche 16Flowers In A Vase by Jacob MarrelFlowers In A Vase 17Flowers in a blue and white vase by Jacob MarrelFlowers in a blue and white vase 18Flower still life by Jacob MarrelFlower still life 19Still Life Of Flowers In A Vase With A Lizard On A Ledge by Jacob MarrelStill Life Of Flowers In A Vase With A Lizard On A Ledge 20Bowl of flowers by Jacob MarrelBowl of flowers 21Still life with flower vase and dead frog by Jacob MarrelStill life with flower vase and dead frogRijksmuseum 22Quiet Life With Roman, Silver Tazza, Fruits, Pastries And Bird by Jacob MarrelQuiet Life With Roman, Silver Tazza, Fruits, Pastries And Bird 23Flowers, parrot and tit by Jacob MarrelFlowers, parrot and tit 24Still-Life with Flowers by Jacob MarrelStill-Life with Flowers

Principal subjects in the work of Jacob Marrel

The four subjects most frequently represented among these works, each with its best-known example.

Flowers 10 works

Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche (1637), Jacob Marrel #1 Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche 1637 · Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe Flowers in a glass vase (1642), Jacob Marrel #4 Flowers in a glass vase 1642 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen A Glass Vase with Flowers (1652), Jacob Marrel #5 A Glass Vase with Flowers 1652 · Statens Museum For Kunst En stentøjskrukke med blomster (1652), Jacob Marrel #6 En stentøjskrukke med blomster 1652 · Statens Museum For Kunst

Vase 5 works

Tulips in a vase with a caterpillar and a grasshopper on a stone ledge (1635), Jacob Marrel #7 Tulips in a vase with a caterpillar and a grasshopper on a stone ledge 1635 · Rijksmuseum Flowers in a blue and white vase, Jacob Marrel #17 Flowers in a blue and white vase Still life with flower vase and dead frog, Jacob Marrel #21 Still life with flower vase and dead frog Rijksmuseum Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche (1637), Jacob Marrel #1 Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche 1637 · Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe

Tulips 4 works

Vase of Flowers (1645), Jacob Marrel #13 Vase of Flowers 1645 · National Gallery Prague A Glass Vase with Flowers (1652), Jacob Marrel #5 A Glass Vase with Flowers 1652 · Statens Museum For Kunst En stentøjskrukke med blomster (1652), Jacob Marrel #6 En stentøjskrukke med blomster 1652 · Statens Museum For Kunst Tulips in a vase with a caterpillar and a grasshopper on a stone ledge (1635), Jacob Marrel #7 Tulips in a vase with a caterpillar and a grasshopper on a stone ledge 1635 · Rijksmuseum

Glass vase 3 works

Flowers in a glass vase (1642), Jacob Marrel #4 Flowers in a glass vase 1642 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen A Glass Vase with Flowers (1652), Jacob Marrel #5 A Glass Vase with Flowers 1652 · Statens Museum For Kunst Vase of Flowers (1645), Jacob Marrel #13 Vase of Flowers 1645 · National Gallery Prague

Jacob Marrel: holding museums

The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Jacob Marrel Paintings from this list
Statens Museum For Kunst, CopenhagenStatens Museum For Kunst Copenhagen 2 A Glass Vase with Flowers, En stentøjskrukke med blomster
Rijksmuseum, AmsterdamRijksmuseum Amsterdam 2 Tulips in a vase with a caterpillar and a grasshopper on a stone ledge, Still life with flower vase and dead frog
National Museum in Warsaw, WarsawNational Museum in Warsaw Warsaw 2 Flowers in a vase, Bouquet of flowers in a vase, insects and tiny creatures
Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, CarlsruheStaatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe Carlsruhe 1 Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche
New York Historical Society, New York CityNew York Historical Society New York City 1 Wreath of Flowers Encircling the Coat-of-Arms and Miniature of The Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I
Kunstmuseum Basel, BaselKunstmuseum Basel Basel 1 Portrait of a woman called Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717)
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, RotterdamMuseum Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam 1 Flowers in a glass vase
Fitzwilliam MuseumFitzwilliam Museum 1 Vase of flowers

Jacob Marrel by decade: the most famous painting of each

Works per decade

Select a decade to display its principal painting.

Jacob Marrel: questions and documented answers

Which Jacob Marrel painting heads the list of most famous works?Display the answer

Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche (1637), Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, Carlsruhe. The following entries are Wreath of Flowers Encircling the Coat-of-Arms and Miniature of The Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I (1658) and Portrait of a woman called Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) (1679).

What age had Jacob Marrel reached when Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche was painted?Display the answer

23 years: Jacob Marrel was born in 1614 and Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche is dated 1637.

Which works make up the top 10 of Jacob Marrel?Display the answer

Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche, Wreath of Flowers Encircling the Coat-of-Arms and Miniature of The Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I, Portrait of a woman called Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717), Flowers in a glass vase, A Glass Vase with Flowers, En stentøjskrukke med blomster, Tulips in a vase with a caterpillar and a grasshopper on a stone ledge, Flowers in a vase, Bouquet of flowers in a vase, insects and tiny creatures and Vase of flowers. The list above records the date and holding museum of each.

How many works by Jacob Marrel are recorded?Display the answer

The catalogue records 24 works by Jacob Marrel, dated between 1634 and 1679.

In which collections are Jacob Marrel's most famous works held?Display the answer

Principally in Statens Museum For Kunst (Copenhagen), Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam) and National Museum in Warsaw (Warsaw). The museum table above gives the full distribution.

When were the most famous works of Jacob Marrel painted?Display the answer

In 1630s: 4 of the 24 works listed on this page are dated to that period, including Vanitas still life with a vase of flowers, a violin and a skull, in a niche.

Which dated works by Jacob Marrel are the earliest and the latest here?Display the answer

The earliest dated work listed here is Flowers in a vase (1634); the latest is Portrait of a woman called Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) (1679).

What subjects appear most in the work of Jacob Marrel?Display the answer

Flowers (10), Vase (5) and Tulips (4), out of the 24 works listed on this page.

What materials did Jacob Marrel use most frequently?Display the answer

Oil On Canvas, in 5 of the 24 works listed on this page.

Which art movement does Jacob Marrel represent?Display the answer

Baroque, as documented by the works on this page.

Which works of Jacob Marrel are held by the Statens Museum For Kunst?Display the answer

A Glass Vase with Flowers and En stentøjskrukke med blomster are among the 2 works on this page in the collection of the Statens Museum For Kunst, Copenhagen.

Jacob Marrel: life and work

Jacob Marrel: Life and Legacy

Early Life and Training

  • Born: Frankenthal, Germany in 1614.
  • In 1624, Marrel moved with his family to Frankfurt.
  • He began his artistic training in 1627 as a student of Georg Flegel, a prominent still life painter specializing in pantry and flower pieces.
  • This early exposure laid the foundation for Marrel’s future specialization.

Utrecht and the Influence of Jan Davidszoon de Heem

  • Attracted by the lucrative market for flower still lifes, Marrel traveled to Utrecht between 1632 and 1650.
  • He studied extensively under Jan Davidszoon de Heem, a master of opulent and detailed still life compositions.
  • De Heem’s influence is evident in Marrel's later works, particularly his use of rich colors, dramatic lighting, and complex arrangements.
  • This period was crucial for Marrel’s artistic development, refining his technique and establishing his style.

Return to Frankfurt and Family Connections

  • Around 1650, Marrel returned to Frankfurt and married Johanna Sybilla Heim(ius), the widow of Matthäus Merian.
  • He took on students, fostering a workshop environment.
  • A significant connection: His step-daughter, Maria Sibylla Merian, became a renowned painter and naturalist specializing in insects and flowers – rivaling Rachel Ruysch in fame.
  • Merian later married one of Marrel’s pupils, Johann Andreas Graff, further solidifying the artistic lineage.

Artistic Style and Major Works

Later Years and Legacy

  • Marrel revisited Utrecht in 1660 with his student Abraham Mignon.
  • He established a flower painting school in Frankfurt after returning to Germany in 1665.
  • He remained active as an art dealer in Utrecht until 1669.
  • Death: Jacob Marrel died in Frankfurt in 1681.
  • Historical Significance: He played a vital role in popularizing flower still life painting during the Dutch Golden Age and influenced subsequent generations of artists, most notably his step-daughter Maria Sibylla Merian.
All 24 works by Jacob Marrel →