Hibiscus syriacus (syrisk rose) 1649 - 1659

This botanical study of Hibiscus syriacus was rendered by Hans Simon Holtzbecker. Note how the rose of Sharon is represented in various stages of bloom. The flower itself has long been laden with symbolic weight. Think of the rose, often associated with Venus, and the potent ideas of love and beauty it carries. Yet, observe how Holtzbecker’s hibiscus departs from that tradition. Here, the flower is presented with scientific precision, a stark contrast to its passionate association with love and its frequent appearance in Renaissance love poetry, where it embodies fleeting beauty and purity. These floral representations also echo the vanitas tradition, reminding us of the transience of life. The hibiscus, depicted in its full bloom and nascent bud, speaks to our awareness of mortality. This stark reminder is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deeply subconscious level. The hibiscus surfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in various historical contexts, progressing cyclically.