Jasminum odoratissimum (stue-jasmin); Jasminum officinale (læge-jasmin) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker painted this study of Jasminum odoratissimum and Jasminum officinale, or jasmine, in the 17th century, with watercolor and gouache. Holtzbecker was working in Denmark at a time when the country was gaining power and influence in Northern Europe. This coincided with a growing interest in scientific and botanical pursuits, with wealthy patrons commissioning detailed studies of plants and flowers for both scientific and aesthetic purposes. Botanical illustration was not simply a passive recording of nature, however; Holtzbecker's careful arrangement and idealization of the jasmine plants reflects specific cultural values about order and beauty. The plants' association with medicine would also have been significant in the 17th century. So, in considering this botanical study, we might ask: How did the social and economic context of Holtzbecker’s Denmark shape his artistic choices? What did jasmine signify to the artist and his patrons? Such questions can be explored through archival research and an understanding of the plant's cultural history, enabling a richer interpretation of this image.