Distel 1725 - 1792

Editor: We're looking at "Distel," a watercolor drawing by Aert Schouman, made sometime between 1725 and 1792. The delicacy of the rendering of this prickly plant almost transforms it into something…tender. What do you see here, beyond just a botanical illustration? Curator: Well, it pricks something in my memory, reminding me of summer days spent traipsing through fields, perhaps less idyllic than I remember! There's a scientific precision, no doubt, in capturing each bristle and vein. But Schouman also hints at a bigger landscape here – do you see the ghostly trees in the background? And the soft color palette! It transforms something rather mundane into something sublime. It's as if Schouman wants us to consider the humble beauty that's often overlooked. Editor: I see what you mean about the background. At first, the focus on the plant itself made me miss the world behind it. So, it's not *just* about accurately depicting a thistle? Curator: Exactly! Schouman gives us an ecological meditation; the wild is now appreciated rather than something to keep at bay. And have you noticed how the stem nearly bisects the composition? This emphasizes the vertical growth, its persistence. Even against a barren landscape it reaches. Editor: That's fascinating, I hadn't considered the symbolism. Looking at it again, it's almost defiant in its beauty! I guess art can be found even in unexpected places. Curator: Indeed! And sometimes, the simplest things hold the most profound stories. A reminder that every part of the world matters.