Bosaardbei before 1894

Editor: Here we have an image from before 1894 called "Bosaardbei," presented as a print or drawing using ink on paper. The image captures a set of botanic illustrations, specifically focusing on leaves and woodland strawberry, set within an open book. It feels quite detailed, almost scientific. What do you make of it? Curator: You know, it whispers of old herbal medicine books to me. Before we had digital encyclopedias, detailed illustrations like these were how knowledge was shared, plant by plant. Do you see the crisp lines? Almost clinical, yet undeniably beautiful in their accuracy. I wonder what the artist hoped to convey, beyond just identification. Editor: I can see that, there is something about the focus on precision! So the intention isn't artistic but for the purposes of clear botanical identification. But it feels somewhat artistic to me still... Curator: Precisely! Think of it not just as science, but as someone pausing to really *see* the world. The artist chose these plants, arranged them—there’s a quiet contemplation there. Almost like a little love poem dedicated to the forest floor. Were you struck by anything particular in its rendering? Editor: Now that you point it out I see it... The leaves of woodland strawberry! Its vividness catches my eye! Thank you for showing me how art and scientific illustration aren't mutually exclusive but perhaps one and the same, and I learnt so much today about seeing these artworks as art first, function second. Curator: Isn't it lovely when different disciplines overlap? Makes the world that little bit richer, that little bit more understandable. I'm glad we could ponder this 'Bosaardbei' together; every artwork holds untold secrets just waiting to be seen!