Twee soorten narcissen 1617

This engraving, titled "Twee soorten narcissen", or "Two Types of Daffodils", was created by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger. The formal arrangement presents two distinct daffodils side by side. Notice how the artist employs line and form to dissect and display each flower. On the left, a cluster of smaller blossoms is meticulously rendered, conveying a sense of multiplicity and delicate symmetry. To the right, a solitary, larger daffodil is depicted, its petals gracefully unfurling to reveal a complex structure. The linear precision and the stark contrast between light and shadow serve not only to highlight the botanical details but also to offer a comparative study in floral morphology. Van de Passe's work invites us to consider the visual language of scientific illustration and how it reflects a period deeply invested in empirical observation. The structural approach to depicting botanical forms underscores a desire to classify and understand the natural world through visual means.