Lobelia cardinalis (kardinal-lobelie) 1635 - 1664

Curator: Standing before us is a remarkable rendering of Lobelia cardinalis, commonly known as the cardinal flower, crafted between 1635 and 1664. This exquisite drawing, attributed to Hans Simon Holtzbecker, employs watercolor and gouache. It currently resides within the esteemed collection of the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: Oh, that is striking. So bright and, somehow, even fiery. There's something very precise about it, yet it still manages to feel very much alive, almost vibrating with a kind of internal heat. Curator: Precisely! Holtzbecker's skillful rendering elevates the plant to a level of scientific observation but also evokes a subtle grandeur. Consider the structure; each leaf and flower meticulously delineated, contributing to a formal yet elegant overall design. The choice of media—watercolor and gouache—allow for both detail and luminosity. Editor: It is fascinating how he captures the essence of the cardinal flower – that confident, almost arrogant, uprightness of it. Do you think this vibrancy speaks to the purpose of these illustrations? A means to understand or classify or perhaps to show its pure, unadulterated, almost aggressively vivid being. Curator: Such illustrations indeed played a crucial role. The Northern Renaissance prioritized accuracy, detailed observation serving as the basis for a deeper understanding of the natural world and humanity's place within it. Editor: And those splashes of bright red. Almost unsettling against that plain backdrop; it draws my eye in—the flower takes control. It seems like a declaration, doesn't it? Curator: Yes, a declaration but also an attempt to master the form and essence of nature through art, isn't it? A fine piece of art to experience this intention. Editor: Indeed. The flower then remains, fixed in time and rendered in exquisite detail. An exploration and perhaps an interpretation of this intention? Curator: I would conclude precisely so. Editor: Mmm. So bright!