Rouwiris 1617

Willem de Passe made this print of an iris, titled Rouwiris, sometime between 1592 and 1641. It's an engraving, one of many prints that circulated in Europe at that time, depicting flora and fauna of the world. These botanical studies developed from medieval illuminated manuscripts and became important tools in the development of natural science, as well as objects of beauty. Here, we see an iris elegantly composed in the frame, with its botanical name inscribed. These prints were collected into books of knowledge and prized for their realism. But it’s also worth remembering that printmaking was a commercial industry, and that De Passe was hoping to attract buyers with a beautiful image. Looking more closely at the image, we might ask ourselves, what does it mean to have this kind of access to a flower? What institutions made it possible for De Passe to make this print, and for us to study it today?