Twee hyacinten 1617

This print of two hyacinths was made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, sometime in the 17th century. The work is an engraving, a printmaking technique where an image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and used to make impressions on paper. This process demands precise control and specialized tools, like burins and scrapers, to carve lines into the metal. The fine lines and details seen here highlight the artist’s skill in manipulating these tools to capture the delicate form of the hyacinths. Engravings like these were often part of larger botanical compendiums, serving both artistic and scientific purposes. They reflect a growing interest in natural history during the period, as well as the increasing commodification of knowledge and aesthetics through print culture. The work involved in creating such detailed engravings also speaks to the labor-intensive practices that underpinned the wider economy of art and science. By focusing on the material and making of this print, we can appreciate how it bridges the gap between art, craft, and the natural sciences.