Fritillaria meleagris (almindelig vibeæg) 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this botanical study of Fritillaria meleagris, or snake's head fritillary, in watercolour. The composition is deceptively simple: two flowering stems are placed against an unmodulated background. The leaves are rendered in flat green tones, the stems in earthier hues. The artist’s attention to detail draws us to the subtle geometry of the plant’s structure and how the delicate pattern of the flower is realized using intricate stippling. Holtzbecker captures the plant's fragility and strength, exploring how even the most detailed representation is still an abstraction from the living specimen. His skill is evident in his use of colour to define the form and texture of each flower, inviting us to consider the tension between art and nature. Look closely again at how colour and form combine; and you will see how Holtzbecker transforms botanical illustration into an aesthetic object.