Tulipa gesneriana (have-tulipan) 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this watercolor and gouache painting, Tulipa gesneriana, at an unknown date. Holtzbecker lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a time marked by unprecedented economic prosperity in the Netherlands. At this moment in history, tulips, newly introduced from Turkey, became a coveted luxury item. The flower became associated with wealth, status, and speculative financial gain. During the infamous "Tulip Mania" of the 1630s, single bulbs were traded at exorbitant prices, sometimes exceeding the value of houses. Holtzbecker's painting, with its meticulous detail, reflects the cultural infatuation with these flowers. The tulip's allure also resonated with the aesthetics of the time, symbolizing beauty and ephemerality. The flower’s delicate and vibrant petals spoke to notions of transience, reminding viewers of the fleeting nature of life.