Colchicum variegatum (plettet tidløs); Bulbocodium vernum (vår-lysblomst); Sternbergia lutea (almindelig sternbergia) 1649 - 1659

Here we see Holtzbecker’s botanical studies made around the mid-17th century: delicate flowers depicted with an almost scientific precision. Note the bulbs and roots of each plant, rendered with as much detail as the blooms themselves, which reveals an interest in the origins and foundations of life. Consider the symbolism of the bulb, a motif that reappears across cultures. In ancient Egypt, the onion bulb was associated with eternity, its concentric layers representing the multiple layers of the universe. Similarly, the cyclical nature of bulbs—dormant in winter, blossoming in spring—resonates with themes of rebirth and regeneration found in various mythologies. This idea parallels the Ouroboros, the snake eating its tail. The choice of specific flowers is also important. Flowers, often linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, can be seen in Botticelli's *Primavera.* These details aren't merely aesthetic; they’re echoes of humanity's shared experiences, resonating within our collective memory. This piece becomes more than a simple depiction of nature; it mirrors our deepest hopes and fears.