Bouquet of Flowers 1680 - 1688

This small botanical study of a bouquet of flowers, made by an anonymous artist, is a window into the culture of scientific exploration. The detailed rendering of each bloom reflects an era of increased interest in the natural world, often driven by colonial expansion. European powers sought to catalogue and classify the resources of newly 'discovered' lands. Institutions like botanical gardens and natural history museums emerged as centres for this activity, influencing the development of artistic styles. The careful arrangement and individual rendering of each flower in this bouquet likely served a dual purpose, both artistic and scientific. As art historians, we can examine these objects, looking at old botanical surveys and colonial records to understand the historical context of their creation and reveal the complex relationship between art, science, and power. This helps us appreciate the meanings that are contingent on social and institutional context.