Amaranthus cruentus (rød amarant); Jacobaea maritima (gråblad); Clematis integrifolia (blå staudeklematis) 1635 - 1664

This botanical study by Hans Simon Holtzbecker, rendered in watercolor and gouache, presents a fascinating interplay of form and color. Three distinct plant specimens fill the composition against a stark, neutral backdrop. The eye is drawn to the careful arrangement of shapes, each plant meticulously detailed to showcase its unique structure. Holtzbecker uses a delicate, almost scientific, approach to capture the essence of these plants. Note how the intense red of the Amaranthus contrasts with the silvery, textured leaves of the Jacobaea, and the deep blue of the Clematis. This arrangement is not merely descriptive; it explores the visual relationships between different textures and hues. The artist employs a structuralist strategy, emphasizing the lines, shapes and forms that make up the plants. By isolating these elements, Holtzbecker invites us to consider how form contributes to our understanding and appreciation of the natural world. This detailed observation challenges our perception, inviting us to explore the underlying structures that define the beauty and complexity of these botanical specimens.