Miltonia vexillaria 1885 - 1906

Jean Jules Linden made this botanical illustration of Miltonia vexillaria. Linden was a botanist and explorer during a time when Europe was ravenous for new specimens to classify and cultivate. These orchids, native to Columbia, Venezuela and Ecuador, were brought back to Europe where they became fashionable commodities. During the Victorian era, orchids were associated with wealth, refinement and exoticism. For wealthy collectors, owning rare orchids signified status. During this time, what was considered feminine beauty became aligned with the orchid, reflecting cultural ideas about women. While the image appears innocuous, consider the power dynamics at play. It is implicated in the story of colonial exploitation, as well as the association between gender and class. This illustration asks us to consider the cultural baggage plants carry, and how something as seemingly benign as a flower can be caught up in societal issues.