WHISPERS OF TIME
by Anna Volkova

ANNA VOLKOVA

The leitmotif in Anna Volkova’s art works is the transience of life. This central theme is expressed in her love for both the subject matter and the choice of material. Inspired by the aesthetics of Dutch seventeenth century art works, she frequently alludes to allegories found in floral still lifes created by the old masters, seamlessly integrating them with porcelain.

FLORAL STILL LIFES

Drawing inspiration from the still lifes of the Dutch seventeenth century, Volkova’s tulips and flowers emerge as porcelain sculptures, delicately encapsulating the fragile elegance of blooms, as if freshly plucked from an Ambrosius Bosschaert (1573 – 1621) bouquet. Her creations skillfully convey the delicate and dynamic essence inherent in flowers. Her porcelain sculptures pay homage to the enduring inspiration that flowers have bestowed upon countless artists and designers throughout history. Volkova is captivated by the diverse shapes, colors, fleeting existence, and fragility of flowers.

PORCELAIN

In her pursuit to capture the flowers’ beauty, Volkova has chosen porcelain for its purity, plasticity, and translucency, symbolizing both cleanliness and luxury while eloquently expressing the grace of flowers. Her artistic journey involving experiments with porcelain led her to develop her own unique technique based on old Chinese recipes. This enables her to make exceptionally thin and translucent objects. Each flower from a petal to a stem is hand sculpted from tinted or white porcelain and acquires its distinctive appearance after firing at a high temperature. Therefore, every flower is unique in its shape and color combination. The non-glazed treatment allows for a gentle matte texture, giving it the appearance of a real flower. The intricate, almost baroque shape of the flower and its fragility almost resemble pieces of fine jewelry.

BIOGRAPHY

Anna Volkova (St. Petersburg, 1974) studied at the Fine Art Academy (St. Petersburg), the Rietveld Academy (Amsterdam) and the Sandberg Institute (Amsterdam). Since 1998 she lives in the Netherlands and works as a professional artist in her studio in Amsterdam. Volkova creates artworks for both public and private spaces, engaging in exhibitions and undertaking commissioned projects. She is mainly acknowledged for her porcelain and mosaic art works, tiles and window installations. Volkova’s work is featured in various collections, such as the Princessehof Museum in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; the Dutch Central Bank (DNB); the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (MK&G) in Hamburg, Germany; the State Hermitage Museum’s Contemporary Porcelain Department in Russia; and the Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH) in Houston, USA. Additionally, her works adorn private collections worldwide.

WHISPERS OF TIME

A fusion of history and contemporary artistry, these three unique artworks seamlessly blend 17thcentury Delftware with modern porcelain flowers. Drawing inspiration from Dutch Old Masters and the grand floral arrangements of the past, these creations celebrate the timeless elegance of Delftware while embracing a Fresh, innovative vision.

SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY DELFTWARE

At the foundation of each artwork are three remarkable 17th-century Delftware vases. The largest, standing at 52 cm (20.5 in.), is marked for Dirck Witsenburgh of The White Star factory, c. 1695. It is exquisitely painted with groups of Oriental figures and their attendants in a continuous hilly landscape, framed by floral and foliate borders. The shoulder is adorned with lappet borders featuring blossoms and scrolling foliage. The two smaller vases originate from The Moors Head factory. The first, produced circa 1680-85 by Jacob Wemmersz. Hoppesteyn, is marked IW 80 in blue and measures 30.9 cm (12 1/8 in.). It is decorated with various oriental flowers growing behind a pierced rock within three panels, separated by chrysanthemum blossoms and scrollwork. Comparable examples can be found in prominent collections and publications, including those illustrated by De Jonge and Lunsingh Scheurleer. Previously, this vase was part of the esteemed Dr. Günther Grethe Collection in Hamburg.

The second smaller vase, produced circa 1685-92 by Rochus Hoppesteyn, is marked RIHS in blue and measures 32.5 cm (12 3/4 in.). It features Oriental birds and flowers within two large and two smaller panels, set against a floral and foliate ground, with additional floral panels around the shoulder. A similar example is documented by Hudig and was once part of The Voûte Collection in Baarn.

CONTEMPORARY ART

These new works by Volkova continue the dialogue between past and present, reflecting a renewed appreciation for Delftware in contemporary art and design. Once regarded as an outdated tradition, Delftware is now celebrated for its distinctive Dutch heritage and artistic significance. Artists have increasingly embraced historical fragments, incorporating them into modern interpretations. Notable examples include “Faded Glory” (2007) by Wieki Somers and “William and Mary” (2007) by Ineke Hans, both housed in the Kunstmuseum, The Hague, where historical Delftware elements are reimagined within contemporary contexts. Volkova’s artworks stand within this tradition, transforming centuries-old ceramic pieces into striking, modern compositions where history and innovation coexist in perfect harmony.

DESCRIPTIONS
Please note that the final product may vary from the images displayed

Left: Anna Volkova ‘Whispers of Time’ in colors, 2025
Porcelain and a Delftware jar by Rochus Hoppesteyn, owner of Het Moriaanshooft (The Moor’s Head) factory from 1686 until 1692
Approximate height 82 cm. / 32 in.

Center: Anna Volkova ‘Whispers of Time’ in blue and pink, 2025
Porcelain and a large vase by Dirck Witsenburgh, partial owner of the De Witte Ster (The White Star) factory from 16901704
Approximate height 115 cm. / 45 in.

Right: Anna Volkova ‘Whispers of Time’ in colors, 2025
Porcelain and a Delftware jar by Jacob Wemmersz. Hoppesteyn, owner of Het Moriaanshooft (The Moor’s Head) factory from 1664 until 1671, and succeeded by his widow Jannetge Claesdr. van Straten through 1686
Approximate height 85 cm. / 34 in.

Contact Anna Volkova

Website: www.annavolkova.com
Instagram: @porcelain.tulip
Email: volkova@xs4all.nl