Artwork

Geranium phaeum (bølgekronet storkenæb); Geranium versicolor (net-storkenæb)

Geranium phaeum (bølgekronet storkenæb); Geranium versicolor (net-storkenæb) 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

Created around 1654, this watercolor presents two distinct geranium species—Geranium phaeum and Geranium versicolor—against an unadorned backdrop. The composition places the darker‑leafed, purple‑flowered G. phaeum on the left and the lighter‑leafed, pink‑flowered G. versicolor on the right, each rendered with careful attention to form and proportion.

Subject & Meaning

The work functions as a comparative botanical study, highlighting morphological differences between the two geraniums. By juxtaposing the species, the artist emphasizes variations in leaf coloration, flower hue, and overall habit, serving both scientific observation and aesthetic appreciation.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the piece employs fine washes to suggest translucency in the foliage and delicate shading on the petals. Layered pigment builds subtle depth, while precise line work defines leaf margins and petal edges, achieving a realistic texture that aligns with 17th‑century botanical illustration conventions.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the artist known as 35199_person, the painting has been part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. Its dating to the mid‑17th century places it within a period of heightened interest in cataloguing plant species for both medicinal and decorative purposes.