Primula vulgaris (storblomstret kodriver); Primula ×pubescens (have-aurikel) 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker painted these primula flowers with watercolor and gouache in the 17th century. At the time, botanical illustration was gaining importance not just for science, but also as a reflection of social status and global exploration. Holtzbecker was working during a period when Europe was expanding its reach across the globe, bringing back new plants and specimens. The detailed botanical drawings were not merely scientific records, they captured a sense of wonder and conquest, marking the beginning of a shift in how Europeans perceived and interacted with the natural world. Think about how something as seemingly simple as a flower drawing becomes a statement about power, knowledge, and the changing relationship between humans and nature. This artwork represents nature but is also deeply embedded in the politics and culture of its time.