Gladiolus illyricus en een tweede plant uit het geslacht Gladiolus 1617

This engraving of Gladiolus species was made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger in the 17th century. Notice the detailed rendering of each element: from the slender leaves to the complex geometry of the blossoms and the bulb. The composition divides the visual field into two distinct registers, each dedicated to a gladiolus specimen. The upper half features a gladiolus illyricus, while the lower presents a variant. The artist meticulously captures the botanical structure, emphasizing linear precision, which was a hallmark of botanical illustration at the time. The choice of engraving as a medium allows for fine lines and subtle gradations, essential for accurately depicting the botanical specimens. This method challenges fixed meanings and plays with ways of understanding natural forms and representation. The linear precision is not merely descriptive but embodies a deeper, structural understanding of botanical forms, which links scientific observation with artistic representation.