Gallic Rose (Rosa gallica L. ‘Versicolor’) c. 1686 - 1692

Editor: So, this botanical drawing is entitled "Gallic Rose (Rosa gallica L. ‘Versicolor’)" by Pieter Withoos, created sometime between 1686 and 1692, using watercolors. It's a lovely, detailed piece, but also quite simple. I'm intrigued by the contrast of soft petals against the prickly stem. What catches your eye about it? Curator: Initially, I observe the meticulous rendering of form through light and shadow, specifically within the rose petals. The gradations create a compelling sense of volume and texture. Note how Withoos uses line sparingly, relying instead on tonal variations to delineate the contours. This, combined with the stark white background, isolates the subject, encouraging a focused examination of its intrinsic qualities. Editor: That makes sense. I didn't really think about the empty background forcing you to really study the rose itself. Do you think there’s any symbolism at play here? Curator: The overt presentation seemingly precludes any symbolic reading; the function seems to be grounded in a quasi-scientific approach to capture a specific moment in the life cycle of the rose itself, for instance in capturing damage in one leaf, alongside thorns indicating potential protection. Consider the interplay between the open bloom and the more nascent leaves, too; they invite scrutiny of growth and decay through pure aesthetic form rather than literary convention. Editor: So it's not about hidden meanings, but more about the act of looking closely and observing? Curator: Precisely. By isolating and meticulously rendering the subject, Withoos invites us to consider its formal properties: line, shape, color, texture. It is the aesthetic experience itself, divorced from external narrative, that constitutes the work's significance. Editor: That's a totally different way of thinking about art than I'm used to! I guess I was so focused on what the rose *means* that I wasn't actually *seeing* it. Curator: Indeed. Formalism encourages us to privilege the visual language of art. Hopefully now the painting offers itself in a richer register to you.