Artwork

Brimeura amethystina (pyrenæisk hyacint); Hyacinthus orientalis (almindelig hyacint)

Brimeura amethystina (pyrenæisk hyacint); Hyacinthus orientalis (almindelig hyacint) is an unspecified work on paper by Unknown. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

This early‑modern illustration depicts three upright specimens of bulbous plants, each rendered with slender green foliage and compact clusters of blossoms. The flowers, chiefly in shades of violet and white, are arranged in orderly rows along the stems, while the bulbs rest at the base, their roots trailing beneath.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes two species: Brimeura amethystina, known as the Pyrenean hyacinth, and Hyacinthus orientalis, the common hyacinth. By presenting both side by side, the image highlights their morphological similarities and differences, serving as a comparative study for botanists and collectors of the period.

Technique & Style

Executed with meticulous line work and subtle washes, the illustration employs a delicate watercolor palette that renders soft, natural hues. Fine shading conveys volume in the petals and leaves, while the transparent layers suggest the translucency of the blossoms and the texture of the bulbous roots.

History & Provenance

Created around 1654, the piece is attributed to the artist catalogued as 35199_person. It entered the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of historical botanical documentation.

Context

During the mid‑seventeenth century, botanical illustration was essential for the classification and exchange of plant knowledge across Europe. Works such as this one contributed to the growing scientific interest in horticulture and the systematic study of flora, aligning with the era’s emphasis on empirical observation.