Simon Paullis våbenskjold. Illustration til Simon Paulli, "Quadripartitum Botanicum", 1667 1667

Editor: This engraving, "Simon Paullis våbenskjold," was created in 1667 by Albert Haelwegh. It’s part of a book illustration for Simon Paulli’s "Quadripartitum Botanicum". It’s fascinating how intricate the lines are, almost like lace, forming this elaborate crest. What meaning do you find embedded in the images and forms within this crest? Curator: Indeed, this is rich with symbolism! Crests are rarely arbitrary, and this one certainly speaks volumes about Paulli and his aspirations. Consider the rose, a potent symbol across cultures. What does a rose suggest to you? Editor: Romance, beauty, but sometimes transience too, I suppose? Curator: Precisely! The rose signifies not only beauty and love, often linked to Venus, but also secrecy – sub rosa. Paulli, a botanist and physician, presents himself not only as a scholar but perhaps as one privy to hidden knowledge, alchemical or otherwise. Notice the helmet above the shield, suggesting nobility or a learned protector of knowledge. The flourishes allude to classical influences, and maybe suggest that botany unlocks the secrets of wellbeing. Editor: I hadn’t considered the 'secrecy' angle. And I was so focused on the rose as beauty, that the association with botany flew right over my head. It is a bit like a symbolic claim to power through knowledge, isn't it? Curator: Exactly! By employing these symbols, Paulli consciously placed himself within a lineage of learned figures, associating himself with enduring virtues and classical ideals. Think of it as a visual brand identity, but one layered with historical and cultural meaning. The symbolism provides a visual shorthand. It ensured his values resonated with his learned audience then, and continues to intrigue us today. Editor: I see how all the pieces now add up to a picture about identity and cultural values. I’ll never look at heraldry the same way.