Calendula officinalis (have-morgenfrue) 1635 - 1664

This botanical illustration of Calendula officinalis was created by Hans Simon Holtzbecker. The composition is dominated by the vibrant orange hues of the calendula flowers against a neutral background, creating a striking visual contrast. The arrangement, with its central cluster and flanking individual blooms, forms a structured, almost mathematical layout. The artist's precise linework and detailing capture the intricate textures of the petals and leaves, emphasizing the plant's organic form within a controlled, scientific context. The symmetry and detailed execution invites us to see the natural world through a lens of both aesthetic appreciation and analytical observation. Consider how Holtzbecker’s choice to isolate these Calendula plants invites a formal assessment of shape, colour, and arrangement, turning botanical illustration into an opportunity to explore how the material world can be rigorously represented through art.