Lelie, iris en tulp after 1667

This print, "Lily, iris, and tulip," was made by an anonymous artist using an engraving technique. Engraving involves carefully cutting lines into a metal plate, which are then filled with ink and transferred to paper under great pressure. The crisp, precise lines we see here are a testament to the engraver's skill. The varying thickness of the lines creates depth and shadow, giving the flowers a three-dimensional quality. During this period, botanical illustrations were not just artistic endeavors but also scientific records. The tulip, in particular, was a symbol of luxury and status, especially in the Netherlands during "Tulip Mania." The labor-intensive nature of engraving meant that prints were often luxury items, but they also democratized knowledge by making images accessible to a wider audience. This piece speaks to the complex interplay of art, science, and commerce in the early modern period. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images are the product of skilled labor and cultural context.