Tulipa clusiana (clusius-tulipan) 1635 - 1664

This is Hans Simon Holtzbecker’s botanical illustration, “Tulipa clusiana”, made in the 17th century. Holtzbecker was working during a period known as the Dutch Golden Age, a time when the Netherlands experienced unprecedented economic and cultural growth. But beyond its decorative appeal, the image speaks to a specific moment in Dutch history: "Tulip Mania". This was when the price of tulip bulbs reached extraordinarily high levels and then dramatically collapsed. The tulip, originally a foreign import, became a symbol of wealth, status, and speculative desire. What Holtzbecker captures is not just a flower, but also the cultural and economic anxieties of his time. It's a reminder of how even the most seemingly innocent images can be deeply embedded in historical context. The beauty we see is intertwined with the story of a society grappling with new forms of commerce and value.