Groot kaasjeskruid en olijfboom 1617

Crispijn van de Passe II made this print of mallow and olive plants at an unknown date, likely in the Netherlands. The print provides insight into the cultural significance of botany in the 17th century. Botanical illustrations such as this one served both scientific and aesthetic purposes. They were used in botanical and medical texts to accurately depict plants for study, but also collected by wealthy individuals as works of art, reflecting the intersection of science and art during the Dutch Golden Age. The detailed rendering speaks to the period’s growing interest in the natural world, driven by exploration, trade, and the rise of scientific societies. To better understand the context of this print, one might look into Dutch botanical treatises, herbals, and the inventories of art collections from the period. These sources reveal how knowledge of plants was organized and used, and they illuminate the social values attached to scientific and artistic pursuits.