Aconitum lycoctonum (nordisk stormhat); Aconitum napellus (ægte stormhat); Aconitum anthora (finbladet stormhat) 1649 - 1659

This watercolor and gouache piece, now held at the Statens Museum for Kunst, was created by Hans Simon Holtzbecker in the 17th century. It depicts three variations of the Aconitum plant, commonly known as Monkshood or Wolfsbane. Holtzbecker, working in a time when botanical illustration served both scientific and aesthetic purposes, offers us more than just accurate depictions. These plants, while beautiful, are also highly poisonous, reflecting a culture deeply aware of nature's dual capacity for harm and healing. The detailed rendering of each plant invites us to consider the intersections of science, art, and power. Botanical illustrations like these were not merely records; they were tools of empire, used to classify and control the natural world. Holtzbecker's delicate brushwork captures the beauty, but also hints at the complex relationship between humanity and nature, a relationship often fraught with danger and desire. The artist invites us to reflect on our own place within this intricate web.