Iris ×squalens (iris-hybrid); Iris (iris) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker made this watercolor and gouache drawing of three irises, around the mid-17th century. It's a botanical study, reflecting the growing scientific interest in the natural world during that time. In Holtzbecker’s era, powerful individuals often commissioned such works to document and classify specimens. Botanical art served both aesthetic and scientific purposes, contributing to the developing fields of botany and medicine. The precise rendering of the irises, with attention to color and detail, speaks to this dual function. Germany, at the time, was at the crossroads of the late Renaissance and early Baroque. The image captures not only the beauty of nature but also the institutional forces shaping its study. Understanding this image requires delving into the history of scientific illustration, patronage, and the cultural values placed on natural knowledge. It is held at the Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark, so studying collections like these sheds light on the cultural contexts that make art meaningful.