Tulipa gesneriana (have-tulipan) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker rendered this ‘Tulipa gesneriana’ with watercolor to document its distinct features. The tulip, originally a wild flower, became a symbol of status and desire during the Dutch Golden Age. The tulip's symbolism is quite interesting. It has traveled through various cultures, shifting from a symbol of the Ottoman Empire to a highly coveted commodity in Europe. The so-called ‘Tulip Mania’ saw prices skyrocket, only to collapse dramatically, mirroring humanity’s often irrational pursuit of fleeting beauty and material wealth. This image is a reminder of how cultural symbols can be charged with different meanings, reflecting collective anxieties and aspirations, and revealing the cyclical nature of human history. The same longing for beauty persists, albeit in different forms, echoing the eternal dance between desire and disillusionment.