Four Tulips c. 1637 - 1645

Editor: Here we have Jacob Marrel's *Four Tulips* from the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite detailed, with accompanying insects. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the tulip itself, especially in 17th-century Holland. More than just a flower, it became a potent symbol of wealth, status, and even fleeting beauty. These aren't just any tulips; each variety held its own specific cultural weight. Editor: So, the different types meant different things to people at the time? Curator: Precisely. Each stripe, each color variation, carried a layer of meaning understood within that society. And the insects? A reminder of life's transience, perhaps. Editor: Fascinating! I never thought about flowers having that much cultural symbolism.