Kromhals en muisdoorn 1617

This engraving of 'Kromhals en muisdoorn' was made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, a member of a prolific family of Dutch printmakers, in the 17th century. The print is a page from a botanical book, a genre that was gaining popularity at the time, reflecting a growing interest in natural science and exploration. The image creates meaning through its detailed rendering of plants, typical of the scientific illustration of the period in the Netherlands. The rise of the Dutch Republic as a global trading power influenced the availability and study of exotic plants. Botanical gardens, often supported by universities, were becoming important centers of research. This was also a period in which the rise of new scientific societies helped to shape the production of art. Understanding this image requires an appreciation of the historical context of scientific and artistic patronage. The historian can use archival research to understand the changing social status of science, and the institutional setting for the making of art in the Dutch Golden Age.