Legousia speculum-veneris (ægte venusspejl); Hesperis tristis (natviol) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this watercolour and gouache work on parchment, presenting two distinct botanical specimens. The composition is neatly bifurcated, each plant isolated against the parchment's subtle warmth. Holtzbecker meticulously renders each leaf and petal with a near scientific precision, yet it’s the contrasting forms and textures that capture the eye. On the left, delicate Venus' looking-glass flowers form a lacelike structure. To the right, the somber hues of the Hesperis create a heavier, earthier presence. The plants' verticality emphasizes growth. The artist uses line and colour to create a visual experience that marries scientific observation with aesthetic contemplation. This piece is not merely a botanical record but an exploration of nature’s structural elegance.