Centaurea seridis; Silybum marianum (almindelig marietidsel) 1649 - 1659

This botanical study of thistles was rendered by Hans Simon Holtzbecker in pen and watercolour. The composition is defined by the contrast between the sharp, angular leaves and stems against the flat, neutral background, focusing our attention on the natural forms. Holtzbecker uses precise lines and delicate shading to capture the intricate textures and shapes of the plants. The thistles are depicted with a clear attention to detail, from the prickly edges of the leaves to the spiky bracts surrounding the flower heads. The artist plays with asymmetry, arranging the two thistles at different stages of growth, providing a full view of the plant’s life cycle. This drawing operates as both a scientific record and an aesthetic object. Consider how the formal elements work together to offer a glimpse into the intersection of art and science in the 17th century. The rendering of the spines is not merely decorative but reflective of a natural order, prompting questions about nature’s design and the artist's role in interpreting it.