Twee narcissen 1617

Crispijn van de Passe the Younger created this print of two narcissi using engraving, a technique that allowed for the detailed rendering of botanical specimens. Made in the Netherlands, this artwork reflects the burgeoning scientific curiosity of the 17th century, where the study of botany was intertwined with colonial expansion and trade. Botanical illustrations like this one served as vital tools for cataloging and understanding newly discovered plants from around the globe, often for medicinal or economic purposes. The Dutch East India Company, for example, played a crucial role in bringing exotic flora to Europe, fueling both scientific inquiry and the aesthetic appreciation of the natural world. Understanding the social conditions that shaped artistic production means that the historian can consult herbals, trade records, and scientific treatises to enrich our appreciation of this work. This print serves as a reminder that art is contingent on both the social and institutional contexts in which it is created and consumed.