Iris xiphium (spansk iris) 1649 - 1659

Editor: So, here we have "Iris xiphium (spansk iris)" by Hans Simon Holtzbecker, dating from 1649 to 1659. It's a watercolor and gouache drawing. The composition is quite simple – three irises, each a different colour, meticulously rendered. I find it very elegant and scientifically precise, in a way. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: The power of this image resides in the Iris flower itself. Consider how the iris, named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, is consistently associated with messages and new beginnings across cultures. Holtzbecker captures this essence. The almost clinical depiction invites us to reflect on how humanity understands and categorizes nature, and the colours evoke a feeling...almost a coded message. What does this coded message of colors tell you? Editor: I hadn’t considered them as coded messages... I guess the violet one does stand out – its colour feels particularly regal and maybe speaks of wealth or royalty? While the white one could mean purity, like in many Western traditions? Curator: Precisely! Consider the context: the 17th century. Botanical illustrations were often commissioned by the wealthy. The iris, with its symbolic associations, could reinforce a patron's status, linking them to ideas of nobility or divine favor. Holtzbecker isn't just depicting a flower; he’s reflecting, through colour and form, cultural values and personal aspirations. Does this change your perspective on it at all? Editor: It does, yes. I see it now as less of a simple botanical study, and more like a cultural statement – an encapsulation of beliefs and social positioning tied to these specific flowers. It is fascinating how something seemingly so simple can contain so much! Curator: And that, ultimately, is the enduring power of iconography.