Eranthemum en koeienoog 1617

"Eranthemum en koeienoog" is an engraving made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, sometime between 1612 and 1670. Van de Passe was part of a family of artists and publishers active in the Netherlands, a region known for its global trade and scientific exploration. Engravings such as this reflect the growing interest in natural history and botany during the early modern period. But consider, too, how these images participate in a colonial project. The act of naming and classifying plants was deeply connected to European expansion and control. The plants themselves become symbols of both knowledge and power. As you look, think about the emotional and intellectual distance between us and the world. How does the work, with its crisp lines and scientific aspirations, flatten the riotous, unruly realities of the natural world?