Bloem van een cereus before 1892

Bloem van een cereus, or Flower of a Cereus, is an undated botanical illustration by J. Sachse. The open book displays two studies of the night-blooming cereus cactus, a plant whose allure lies in its ephemerality, blooming for only a single night. Considering this work through a lens of identity and temporality, we might reflect on the cultural contexts that frame our understanding of such images. Botanical drawings, for instance, were historically instrumental in European colonial projects, used to classify and exploit indigenous flora. Sachse's detailed rendering invites us to consider the intersection of science, art, and power. Furthermore, the cereus flower itself becomes a symbol of transient beauty and hidden potential. Its nocturnal bloom disrupts conventional notions of visibility and worth, offering a poignant reflection on the unseen and undervalued aspects of our lives and histories. What does it mean to only be seen at night?