Geranium sanguineum striatum (stribet storkenæb); Ranunculus asiaticus (have-ranunkel) 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker rendered these ‘Geranium sanguineum striatum’ and ‘Ranunculus asiaticus’ with watercolor and gouache, capturing their delicate beauty. The prominent flower motif carries a rich symbolic weight that has evolved through centuries. Flowers, throughout history, have been a symbol of ephemerality, beauty, and spiritual contemplation. Looking at the single red ranunculus, we can draw a parallel to the "Florentine Lily" as it appears in Renaissance art; both motifs carry notions of purity, resurrection, and divine light. In Holtzbecker’s composition, the clustered petals and vibrant colors engage us emotionally, perhaps stirring subconscious memories of joy and renewal. This echoes the psychoanalytic view that colors and forms deeply affect our psyche. The use of floral symbols, therefore, is not linear but cyclical. The meaning changes, yet their essence – their ability to trigger deep emotional and spiritual responses – remains. They reappear, transformed, carrying the echoes of past meanings into the present.