Paeonia mascula (rosen-silkeplante) 1649 - 1659

"Paeonia mascula (rosen-silkeplante)" is a watercolor on paper by Hans Simon Holtzbecker, a Danish artist known for his botanical illustrations. Created between 1649 and 1659, this detailed depiction showcases a single stem of the "rosen-silkeplante" (rose-silk plant) with its characteristic red and purple seed pods. Holtzbecker's meticulous attention to detail captures the plant's delicate structure and intricate textures, highlighting the beauty of the natural world. This artwork is a fine example of botanical illustration, a genre that thrived in the 17th century, blending scientific accuracy with artistic skill. The piece is currently part of the collection at the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.