Twee soorten narcissen 1617

This detailed print, titled 'Twee soorten narcissen' by Crispijn van de Passe II, was created in the 17th century. Immediately, the stark contrast of the etching emphasizes form. Two types of daffodils are displayed, with their bulbs, stems, and blossoms rendered through meticulously placed lines. The composition is structured yet asymmetrical, dividing the image into two distinct floral studies. On the left, the narcissus is densely packed, its petals creating a complex, almost ruffled texture, while the narcissus on the right is more open, its form clearly articulated. The artist skillfully uses line weight and density to create a sense of depth, and to differentiate between the textures of the bulbs, leaves, and petals. The artwork exemplifies an interest in scientific observation. Yet, the structured arrangement and contrast reminds us that even in botanical illustration, aesthetic choices and the artist's hand shape our perception of nature. The print invites us to see not just the botanical detail, but also the artist's formal structuring of the natural world.