Helleborus niger (almindelig julerose); Eranthis hyemalis (have-erantis); Gagea lutea (almindelig guldstjerne) 1635 - 1664

This watercolor painting, "Helleborus niger (almindelig julerose); Eranthis hyemalis (have-erantis); Gagea lutea (almindelig guldstjerne)" by Hans Simon Holtzbecker, showcases the delicate beauty of early spring blooms. Created between 1635 and 1664, the work exemplifies the 17th-century Dutch tradition of botanical illustration. Holtzbecker's meticulous attention to detail captures the subtle variations in color and texture of the hellebores, winter aconites, and yellow star-of-Bethlehem. This piece is now held by the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, offering a glimpse into the natural world as observed through the keen eye of a skilled artist.