Tulipa gesneriana (have-tulipan) 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker made this study of Tulipa gesneriana with watercolour and gouache on vellum. The image presents two tulips, likely painted in Hamburg during the first half of the 17th century. The precision and detail suggest it might have been made for a wealthy patron, tapping into the period’s ‘tulip mania.’ This was a time when speculation in tulip bulbs drove prices to extraordinary levels, reflecting not just an interest in botany but also the volatile economics of the Dutch Golden Age. Holtzbecker’s image embodies the cultural and economic fervor around tulips. It’s a reminder of how plants became commodities and status symbols within emerging capitalist structures. Understanding this work requires delving into the archives of botanical illustration, economic history, and the visual culture of the 17th century, as well as the institutional history of this museum. Appreciating such works isn't just about aesthetic enjoyment, it also means understanding the social and institutional contexts that gave them meaning.