Silene viscaria (almindelig tjærenellike); Silene (trævlekrone) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this botanical study of Silene viscaria, or Catchfly, using watercolour on paper. Holtzbecker was working in 17th century Denmark, a time when scientific inquiry and artistic representation were becoming increasingly intertwined. Consider the purpose of such an image. It's more than just a pretty picture. It's a document, an attempt to capture and classify the natural world. Botanical studies like this one played a role in the development of scientific disciplines like botany and pharmacology. Aristocratic patronage of the arts often supported such studies. Holtzbecker was court painter for several decades, appointed to that post by King Christian IV. Holtzbecker worked for the court, but also for the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen’s botanical garden. This watercolour reminds us that art has served many purposes and been shaped by many institutions. The social role of such an image might be understood better by looking at the archives of the University of Copenhagen and royal inventories from the period.