Achillea ptarmica (sølvknap-røllike); Achillea ageratum (balsam-røllike); Achillea millefolium (almindelig røllike) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker made this botanical drawing of Achillea plants sometime before his death in 1671 using watercolour, body colour and pen on parchment. The composition presents a study in contrasts. Note how the plants are arranged vertically, filling the frame, yet each is distinct in form and texture. On the left, the soft, billowing inflorescence of Achillea ptarmica meets the sharp, angular leaves along its stem. This contrasts with the more uniform texture of the other two species. The roots, rendered with delicate lines, anchor the plants, providing a structural base. Holtzbecker's meticulous detail invites a semiotic reading of nature itself. Each plant, a signifier of its species, reveals a complex language of form and function. Consider how this piece challenges fixed categories. Is it purely scientific or aesthetically driven? The convergence of observation and artistry encourages us to see nature not just as an object of study, but as a source of beauty and contemplation.