Brassica napus (raps); Iberis amara (bitter sløjfeblomst) 1635 - 1664

This is a botanical study of Brassica napus and Iberis amara, rendered by Hans Simon Holtzbecker. The rape and bitter candytuft flowers bloom vividly against the parchment. Holtzbecker emphasizes botanical accuracy, yet the flowers transcend mere representation. Their circular arrangement is a motif that echoes through art history. Consider the rose windows of Gothic cathedrals, mandalas from Eastern traditions, and the halo of the Christian saviour – all symbols of completeness, perfection, and the divine. The flower, in this context, becomes a microcosm of the universe, an idealized form. Yet, flowers are also transient. This creates a tension between the desire for eternal beauty and the knowledge of inescapable decay that lies within. This internal psychological conflict evokes a sense of *memento mori* through Holtzbecker’s arrangement, turning it into a reflection of the cyclical nature of existence. Ultimately, the flowers’ resonance lies in their ability to connect us to primal human experiences and to symbols that recur across cultures and time.