Who painted Colchicum autumnale (høst-tidløs)?

Colchicum autumnale (høst-tidløs) was painted by Unknown in 1654.

Where can I see Colchicum autumnale (høst-tidløs)?

Colchicum autumnale (høst-tidløs) is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Colchicum autumnale (høst-tidløs)

Colchicum autumnale (høst-tidløs) is an unspecified work on paper by Unknown. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around 1654 by the artist catalogued as 35199_person, this botanical illustration is part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1654 by the artist catalogued as 35199_person, this botanical illustration is part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. It depicts a small grouping of six colchicum flowers, each rising from a bulbous base. The composition is rendered against an unadorned light background, allowing the delicate forms and muted hues of the plants to dominate the visual field.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents both the underground bulb and the emergent flower in a single view, a combination that was not commonly portrayed in 17th‑century plant studies. By showing the full life cycle of the colchicum, the work emphasizes the continuity of growth and the scientific interest in documenting botanical structures in detail.

Technique & Style

Executed in a fine, linear drawing style, the illustration captures the slender petals and subtle coloration of the blossoms, which range from pale violet to near‑white. The bulbs are rendered with a textured, brown, wrinkled surface. The plain, light‑toned background serves to isolate the subjects, enhancing contrast and clarity typical of early scientific illustration.

History & Provenance

The piece dates to the mid‑17th century and has been retained within the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings since its acquisition, though the exact path of ownership prior to museum custody is not recorded in the available documentation.

Context

During the period when this work was produced, botanical illustration was increasingly employed for scholarly purposes, supporting the classification and study of plants. The inclusion of both bulb and flower reflects a methodological shift toward comprehensive visual records, aligning the piece with contemporary efforts to catalog nature systematically.