Diverse bloemen waaronder twee rozen 1820 - 1833

Anton Weiss made this drawing of various flowers, including two roses, in the Netherlands in the first half of the 19th century. It’s rendered in graphite on paper. The image participates in a long Dutch tradition of botanical illustration, but it also reflects the growing importance of scientific observation and classification in the 19th century. This was a time when natural history became a popular pursuit, reflecting broader social trends such as increased literacy, and greater access to education and leisure. The drawing might have served multiple purposes, from scientific record to aesthetic object. We might consider the institutional contexts in which such drawings were produced. Were they associated with botanical gardens or scientific societies? Were they part of an educational curriculum? Accessing the archives of scientific institutions in the Netherlands would reveal more about how images like this functioned in their day. Examining trade records of garden nurseries might give additional insight into the cultural and economic relevance of certain flowers at this time.