Consolida ajacis (have-ridderspore) 1635 - 1664

This is a botanical study in watercolour and gouache of Consolida ajacis, or larkspur, by Hans Simon Holtzbecker. Holtzbecker was working in 17th century Denmark, during the reign of Frederik III. The study of botany was becoming increasingly important at this time as European powers began to exert their influence on global trade routes. Botanical illustrators were commissioned to record, in scientific detail, examples of plant life. These illustrations became prized for their aesthetic value as well as their scientific accuracy. They provided a visual record of new species, as well as an opportunity to celebrate the beauty and complexity of the natural world. To understand the social and institutional context of such images, historians consult archives, libraries and collections, tracing the movement of people and objects around the globe. The meaning of art changes according to its situation in cultural and institutional settings.