Drie pioenrozen met narcis in boeket 1679 - 1702

This bouquet of peonies and narcissus was etched by an anonymous artist. Floral paintings are often seen as beautiful but passive objects, and this image might seem to uphold that tradition. However, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch Republic saw an enormous interest in botany and natural history, spurred by their colonial reach into faraway lands. The domestic space of the Dutch home became a gallery for these interests, with flower paintings and botanical illustrations gaining popularity. Within that context, the creation of images like these became highly specialized. Despite the serene appearance of this bouquet, it reflects a society deeply engaged in exploration and classification of the natural world. Each flower was not just an aesthetic object but also a symbol of knowledge, power, and wealth. Consider how what appears as a simple bouquet is layered with the complex history of colonialism and emerging scientific rationalism.