Papaver somniferum (opium-valmue) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker's "Papaver somniferum (opium-valmue)" is a detailed botanical illustration from 1649-1659. The painting depicts two opium poppy flowers, one white and one purple, against a soft, cream-colored background. The delicate petals and stems are rendered with meticulous detail, highlighting the intricacies of the poppy's structure. This artwork, now housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, exemplifies the botanical illustration genre of the 17th century, focusing on scientific accuracy and aesthetic beauty.