Boomvaren c. 1816 - 1846

Adrianus Johannes Bik made this pencil drawing of a tree fern at an unknown date. Its institutional home, the Rijksmuseum, suggests something about its cultural role. In the 19th century, there was a growing fascination in Europe with the natural world, fueled by colonial exploration and scientific discovery. This interest created a demand for detailed botanical illustrations, both for scientific study and aesthetic appreciation. The Rijksmuseum, founded in 1800, played a role in educating the public and shaping national identity through the collection and display of art and artifacts. Bik's drawing might have served as a study for a more elaborate botanical print or painting, or it could have been created for a private collection of natural history illustrations. The controlled conditions of the studio and museum made possible a careful study of this exotic specimen. Understanding the history of science and the collecting practices of institutions like the Rijksmuseum helps us understand the cultural significance of this unassuming drawing. By consulting historical archives and scientific literature, we can begin to piece together the story of this tree fern and its journey from the tropics to the museum's collection.