Iris ×sambucina (hylde-iris); Iris latifolia (engelsk iris) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this botanical study of irises on paper in the 17th century. At first glance, we're struck by the symmetry and delicate rendering of the flowers. Each bloom is meticulously detailed, and the composition is structured to display three distinct color variations of the iris against a neutral background. Holtzbecker’s linear precision and commitment to naturalistic color can be seen as a form of visual taxonomy, reflecting the period’s interest in cataloging and classifying the natural world. The irises, isolated from a broader environmental context, become specimens, carefully arranged to facilitate comparative analysis. In this arrangement, we also see a precursor to modern abstraction, where the essence of form and color takes precedence over narrative. The choice of irises, with their complex structures and vibrant hues, might also symbolize the intricate, often hidden, orders of nature that scientists and artists were trying to reveal. The artwork invites us to explore the intersection of science and aesthetics.