Twee soorten akeleien 1617

"Twee soorten akeleien", or "Two types of Aquilegia" in English, was made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger in the 17th century using engraving. Van de Passe was part of a family of artists and printmakers during a time when the Dutch Republic was a global center for botanical studies. These kinds of detailed floral depictions were highly valued, not just for their scientific accuracy, but also as symbols of status and taste. They provided a way to study nature up close, when travel was limited and gardens were status symbols. Notice how each flower and leaf is rendered with meticulous detail, in a way that merges art and science. This blend speaks to the period’s wider pursuit of knowledge, as well as an appreciation for the natural world. The very act of capturing these delicate forms through the relatively new medium of engraving suggests an ambition to preserve and share botanical wonders. "