Narcissus jonquilla (siv-narcis) 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this image of two jonquil narcissus plants some time between 1650 and 1671 using watercolor and gouache. During this period, the Dutch Golden Age was in full bloom, and with it an obsession with exotic flowers fueled by global trade. Holtzbecker worked as a flower painter during a time when botanical illustration served both scientific and aesthetic purposes. Images like this reflect not only an interest in the natural world but also the social and economic values of the time, as flowers like these became symbols of wealth and status. Consider the idea of identity—both the flower's and our own. Holtzbecker meticulously captures the distinct characteristics of each bloom, inviting us to reflect on the unique beauty found in nature. The precision of Holtzbecker’s hand allows us to meditate on the jonquil’s delicate petals, and the emotional weight of this fleeting beauty.