Assyrische appel en goudsbloem 1617

This engraving of an Assyrian apple and a marigold was made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, likely in the Netherlands in the first half of the 17th century. At this time, the Dutch Republic was a major center for botanical study and the publishing of illustrated books on plants. The image offers a glimpse into the scientific and artistic culture of the period. Engravings like this were often included in books known as herbals or florilegia, which served as reference guides for apothecaries, gardeners, and wealthy collectors. The image employs a precise and detailed style, characteristic of botanical illustration, to accurately depict the plants’ features. But it’s also an aesthetic object. The marigold in particular, with its vibrant color and symbolic associations with the sun, was a popular subject in Dutch art. To understand this image better, one could look at period botanical texts, seed catalogs, and garden designs. Appreciating art is always contingent on understanding the social and institutional context in which it was made.