Rosa ×centifolia (centifolie-rose); Rosa gallica versicolor ('Rosa Mundi') 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this botanical drawing of the Rosa Centifolia and Rosa Gallica Versicolor with watercolor and gouache. At first glance, one is struck by its seemingly straightforward composition. Holtzbecker employs a meticulous technique to depict the botanical forms. Notice the variations in color, from the deep pinks of the upper rose to the variegated hues of the lower one. The artist used fine brushstrokes to define each petal, creating a palpable sense of depth and texture. The leaves, rendered in shades of green, exhibit a similar attention to detail, showcasing the plant’s organic structure. This botanical study functions as more than a mere representation. It reflects a scientific and artistic impulse to classify and understand the natural world, in which Holtzbecker emphasizes the inherent beauty of the flowers. The interplay between the detailed botanical accuracy and the aesthetic presentation destabilizes the divide between art and science, and invites us to reconsider how we perceive and categorize the natural world.