Oost Indische kers 1889

This is Floris Verster's delicate etching, "Oost Indische kers," housed at the Rijksmuseum. Verster, working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was part of a generation grappling with rapid social and artistic changes. The seemingly simple depiction of "Oost Indische kers"—Nasturtium in English—belies a deeper conversation about identity and representation. Botanical studies were often a domain of women artists, yet Verster, a male artist, adopts this traditionally feminine subject, blurring gendered lines in artistic practice. The choice of the Nasturtium itself may be significant; it is not a native Dutch flower, hinting perhaps at themes of colonialism, exoticism, and the complex relationship between the Netherlands and its colonial past. The muted tones evoke a sense of nostalgia, while the fine lines capture the fragility and transience of nature. It invites us to reflect on our connection to the environment and consider the layers of meaning embedded within something as simple as a flower.