Tulipa gesneriana (have-tulipan) 1635 - 1664

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this botanical study of Tulipa gesneriana, or cultivated tulips, with watercolor and gouache on paper. These tulips weren't just any flowers; they were potent symbols of wealth during the Dutch Golden Age. The intense, contrasting colors we see in these blooms are not just artistic choices, but reflections of "broken" tulips, prized for their variegated patterns caused by a virus. Think of the labor involved: cultivating these sought-after flowers, and then painstakingly recreating their likeness on paper, demanded tremendous skill. Holtzbecker's rendering captures the texture and form of each petal, bringing a scientific accuracy to the service of art and commerce. So, next time you admire a still life, consider the socio-economic forces that shaped its creation. This image reminds us that even the most delicate artwork can be deeply rooted in the material realities of its time.