Citrus limon (almindelig citron) 1649 - 1659

Editor: Here we have Hans Simon Holtzbecker's "Citrus limon (almindelig citron)," created sometime between 1649 and 1659 using watercolor, gouache, and drawing on paper. The detail is striking! What immediately strikes me is how incredibly lifelike this painting is. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This botanical illustration provides a fascinating insight into the cultural obsession with the natural world during that period. Botanical art wasn't simply about documentation; it reflected growing colonial trade, and the circulation of new species. A lemon tree becomes more than just a tree; it is symbolic of wealth, exploration and power. Editor: Power, really? I would have never guessed! How so? Curator: Well, consider where the lemons come from and where this piece ended up: SMK, the National Gallery of Denmark. These botanical depictions, often commissioned, acted as status symbols for wealthy patrons eager to display their global reach and influence within society. Do you think an average person during this period has the capacity to own such painting, and further more, lemon fruits from foreign lands? Editor: I see your point! Owning it or commissioning the image would certainly have been a statement. So the act of displaying this image would highlight their status, right? Curator: Precisely. Also think about the scientific aspect. Botanical illustrations contributed to scientific knowledge, but the control and distribution of that knowledge was undeniably intertwined with existing power structures. Who got to define what was "worth" studying or depicting? Editor: That’s something to consider as we walk through the rest of the exhibit. Thank you, this perspective definitely changes the way I view this piece. Curator: It does for me too! Always fascinating how a seemingly simple drawing opens up such broad societal and historical questions.