Arum italicum (italiensk arum) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this exquisite botanical study of Arum Italicum using watercolour and gouache. The plant is meticulously rendered with striking contrast; deeply veined leaves in shades of grey and verdant stems supporting a vibrant red inflorescence. Holtzbecker's skillful use of light and shadow creates depth, accentuating the plant’s organic forms. The composition is deliberately structured, positioning the Arum Italicum centrally, allowing the viewer to appreciate the details of its complex morphology. Holtzbecker was part of a tradition that sought to document and classify the natural world, but this artwork invites us to consider the cultural codes embedded within botanical illustration. How does the artist engage with the visual language of science, and what does this tell us about the ways we perceive and categorize nature? The crisp detail and controlled execution challenge us to consider how scientific illustration can be both an objective record and a subjective interpretation of the natural world.