Herfsttijloos en een variant 1617

This engraving, "Herfsttijloos en een variant" by Crispijn van de Passe II, made sometime between 1597 and 1670, presents a meticulously rendered botanical study using the stark contrast of line etching. The composition arranges various forms of the autumn crocus in a regimented yet organic manner. The lines, precise and deliberate, delineate the texture of petals and leaves, creating a delicate interplay between light and shadow. Notice how the artist employs a semiotic system of naturalism and nascent scientific inquiry, presenting the flowers not merely as aesthetic objects, but as specimens of natural philosophy. The varying perspectives and orientations of the flowers introduce a structural instability, inviting viewers to consider the complexities of representation. The artwork encourages ongoing interpretation of the natural world through the structured lens of artistic expression.