Twee tulpen met dagpauwooog 1637

This watercolour on paper by Jacob Marrel presents two tulips alongside a day peacock butterfly. It evokes the 17th-century Dutch obsession with tulips, a period known as “Tulip Mania.” Made during the Dutch Golden Age, this image reflects the immense economic and cultural power of the Netherlands at the time. The tulip, originally from Turkey, became a coveted luxury item, with rare bulbs fetching exorbitant prices, sometimes exceeding the cost of houses. Marrel, a flower painter, catered to this market, producing detailed portraits of prized tulips, meticulously rendered to capture their unique patterns and colours. The presence of the butterfly, a symbol of transformation and beauty, further enhances the image's appeal and speaks to the era's fascination with the natural world. To fully understand this work, we can consult archival records of Dutch horticultural societies, market reports documenting tulip prices, and period literature that reflects on the social impact of this floral frenzy. Only then can we appreciate how art both reflected and shaped the values of its time.