Study of Iris c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have an 18th-century watercolor drawing entitled "Study of Iris." I’m immediately struck by the detailed rendering of the iris and the vibrant blues used throughout. What can you tell us about this work? Curator: This delicate botanical study reflects the intersection of art and science in the 18th century. These were commonly commissioned and collected during this period. Consider the context: the rise of scientific societies, the exploration of the natural world through colonial expansion, and the encyclopedic impulse to document and classify everything. Botanical art wasn’t simply aesthetic; it was deeply embedded in power dynamics and the control of resources. Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t considered. How did these drawings play a role in that? Curator: Think of the drawings as visual records. The accurate depiction of plants was essential for identification, classification, and ultimately, their exploitation. Gardens like Kew in London became centers of global botanical power, collecting and cultivating specimens from around the world. These illustrations fed into that system of knowledge and control. The very act of capturing the "essence" of a plant through art could be seen as an assertion of dominance over nature. Notice how the specimen has been removed from its environment and displayed almost like a trophy. Editor: It's fascinating to think about how seemingly innocent botanical art could be linked to colonial power structures. So, looking at this “Study of Iris” knowing its cultural and historical relevance allows for more awareness of how nature was perceived and used during that time period. Thanks for that, it will be difficult to see this medium in the same light again. Curator: Exactly, and it reminds us to question whose perspective is being represented and what power dynamics are at play, even in the most beautiful of images.