Grove den en bernagie 1617

Curator: Here we have Crispijn van de (II) Passe’s “Grove den en bernagie,” created in 1617. It’s currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first thought is how precisely delineated it is! The line work is so delicate. Curator: Exactly! This is an engraving, so the design is incised into a metal plate and then printed. Passe was working in a very specific printmaking tradition, so that clean line is vital. What strikes you about the plants themselves? Editor: The borage especially looks medicinal. The precision feels appropriate for something like a botanical study. Curator: Yes, absolutely. The borage has historically been associated with courage and was often used in medicinal concoctions for its purported health benefits. Pine, too, had a range of symbolic associations, from longevity to fertility. Editor: That brings up the material value then – thinking about how these would have been employed, how the images themselves are almost documents of process. Engravings were, and still are, incredibly reproducible. So, while the line quality makes it seem precious, the technique facilitated broader distribution and accessibility. Curator: Good point. Printmaking opened doors. These weren’t just decorative, but served as a mode of transmission of information. And the detailed realism lends it a sense of scientific authority even today. Editor: And what about the act of representing natural forms with artificial means? The hand manipulating tools, producing botanical "records.” There’s something compelling in that tension, isn't there? Curator: Absolutely. The very act of depiction alters the viewer’s perception. Editor: Indeed. That tension gives us quite a lot to consider regarding its material origin and symbolic impact! Curator: Agreed. This artwork makes us rethink our engagement with the natural world as mediated by craft.