Tagetes patula (udspærret fløjlsblomst) 1635 - 1664

This vibrant botanical study of Tagetes patula, or the French marigold, was created by Hans Simon Holtzbecker in the mid-17th century. Executed in watercolor on paper, it demonstrates Holtzbecker’s skills as a botanical artist working at a time when scientific illustration was becoming increasingly important. The smooth surface of the paper allows for a high level of detail, particularly noticeable in the layering of petals, where the artist builds up the color gradually. The use of watercolor allows for the delicate rendering of light and shadow, giving a sense of depth to the image. Working as a botanical artist required patience, precision, and extensive knowledge. Beyond simply recording visual information, such images also had to be botanically accurate, which called for an understanding of plant anatomy and growth cycles. While seemingly removed from the concerns of labor or industry, this kind of image nonetheless represents a form of skilled work, and a specific cultural and scientific project. It reminds us that, even in the world of art, making and knowledge are deeply intertwined.