Solanum pseudocapsicum (jerusalem-koralbær) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker rendered this Solanum pseudocapsicum around the mid-17th century with delicate precision. In the visual language of that era, plants were not merely botanical specimens, but carriers of deep symbolic weight. Consider the berries: their vibrant colors and round shape are reminiscent of other fruits that historically symbolize fertility, abundance, and even temptation. Think of the apples in classical myths that trigger fateful events. These fruits, while beautiful, possess a latent power, much like the Solanum here. The plant itself, with its leaves reaching skyward, mirrors the perpetual quest for growth and knowledge seen in the Tree of Life across cultures, from ancient Assyria to the medieval Christian world. But unlike those trees, Solanum carries a certain ambiguity, a potential for both nourishment and harm, reflecting the complex relationship humans have always had with the natural world. This duality engages our psyche, reminding us that beauty and danger often intertwine, a notion deeply embedded in our collective memory. Thus, Holtzbecker's illustration is not merely a botanical record, but a mirror reflecting humanity’s enduring fascination with nature's gifts and hazards.