Hieracium Cymosum Possibly 1757 - 1764

Johann Hieronymus Kniphof rendered this Hieracium Cymosum, or Hawkweed, through meticulous representation. The plant, meticulously depicted, transcends mere botanical illustration. Consider its radiating flower umbel: this motif echoes across centuries, from ancient solar deities depicted with radiating crowns, to the halos adorning saints in medieval art. Here, the Hawkweed’s clustered blooms take on a symbolic dimension, suggesting a vital, life-affirming energy. The singular stem and paired leaves mirror mankind's quest to discover the one within the many. This mirroring is seen in various motifs through time and geography. What dreams and memories did Kniphof consciously—or unconsciously—infuse into his work? This image serves as a silent testament to the enduring power of natural forms.