Matthiola incana (vinter-levkøj); Erysimum cheiri (gyldenlak) 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this image of a vinter-levkøj and gyldenlak. These watercolor and gouache plants on vellum are from a time in the 17th century, when botanical art was transforming from straightforward documentation to a display of cultivated taste. Consider Holtzbecker’s role at the court of Gottorf, where these skills served not just science but the aesthetic and political ambitions of his patrons. Aristocratic identity was performed through collecting, and cultivating rare and beautiful plants was a statement of wealth, power, and refined sensibility. These flowers, rendered with precision, exist at the intersection of art, science, and social status. The delicate rendering of each petal and leaf invites us to consider the cultural values projected onto the natural world. As you look, think about how our perception of beauty is shaped by the historical context and how even the most seemingly objective depictions carry the weight of cultural meanings.