Tulipa gesneriana (have-tulipan) 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this botanical illustration of Tulipa gesneriana on paper. The composition is strikingly simple, featuring two tulips set against a pale background. The artist's meticulous attention to the form of each flower, from the curve of its leaves to the intricate patterns of red and white on its petals, draws our eye. Holtzbecker uses line and color to create a semiotic system that elevates these tulips beyond mere representations. The linear precision in the leaves and stems contrasts with the more fluid brushwork in the flower petals, destabilizing any fixed notion of naturalism. During this period, tulips were not just flowers; they were potent symbols of wealth and status. The artist engages with ideas around value and beauty. The artist captures a fleeting moment of aesthetic and economic tension through the contrasting formal elements. This piece remains open to ongoing interpretation, inviting viewers to consider the complex interplay between art, nature, and cultural values.