Ixia maculata c. 1815 - 1830

This is a watercolor of 'Ixia maculata' by Eelke Jelles Eelkema, a Frisian artist, made sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Eelkema lived during a time of great social and political upheaval in Europe, including the rise of nationalism and colonialism. This botanical drawing reflects the intersection of science, art, and colonialism during this era. European powers were exploring and documenting the natural world, often appropriating knowledge and resources from colonized lands. Eelkema’s meticulous rendering of these exotic flowers speaks to a scientific impulse, as well as an aesthetic appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. At the time, botanical drawings were a way of cataloging and classifying plant species, contributing to the broader project of colonial expansion and resource extraction. But I wonder, too, if Eelkema felt something more when he looked at these flowers? Did he see in them a reflection of the complex, interconnected world he inhabited? Did he grapple with the implications of depicting nature within a system of power and control?