Silene chalcedonica (brændende kærlighed); Dianthus barbatus (studenter-nellike) 1635 - 1664

"Silene chalcedonica (brændende kærlighed); Dianthus barbatus (studenter-nellike)" is a botanical illustration created by Danish artist Hans Simon Holtzbecker between 1635 and 1664. This watercolor depicts two types of flowers: the "brændende kærlighed," or scarlet catchfly, and the "studenter-nellike," or sweet William. The meticulous detail and vibrant colors showcase Holtzbecker's talent for botanical illustration, a genre that was popular during the 17th century. The piece is currently housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst in Denmark, where it continues to fascinate art lovers and botanists alike.