Studie van iris en cyclaam 1677 - 1755

Elias van Nijmegen made this watercolor study of an iris and cyclamen sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century, probably in the Netherlands. In this period, botanical illustration was shifting from simple documentation to artistic expression. Van Nijmegen, working in that tradition, uses delicate lines and subtle washes of color to capture the essence of these blooms. But it is important to consider the context in which this art was produced. The Dutch Republic was a major center for botanical study, driven by the economic interests of the spice and flower trade. Collectors amassed albums of botanical illustration. The scientific ambitions of botany mingled with the aesthetic appreciation of nature. Understanding this history helps us appreciate not only the beauty, but also the cultural and economic forces that shaped the art of botanical illustration in the Netherlands.