Saxifraga rotundifolia (rundbladet stenbræk); Saxifraga umbrosa (skygge-stenbræk); Saxifraga geum (porcelænsblomst) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker rendered these saxifrages with watercolor and gouache around the mid-17th century. The detailed botanical drawings showcase three variations of the saxifraga, or "stone-breaker," plant, each distinguished by its unique leaf and flower structure. The name itself, "saxifraga," carries echoes of ancient beliefs in the plant's power to break stones and, metaphorically, to heal ailments. This symbolism harkens back to the Doctrine of Signatures, where a plant’s appearance was thought to indicate its medicinal use. Think of how the heart shape of a leaf was linked to ailments of the heart! Even today, the saxifraga resurfaces in gardens and herbal remedies, its symbolism evolving yet retaining a connection to its ancient roots. The image is a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, demonstrating the cyclical progression of a symbol, and how it has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.