Artwork

Hyacinthus orientalis (almindelig hyacint); Scilla amoena (himmelblå skilla)

Hyacinthus orientalis (almindelig hyacint); Scilla amoena (himmelblå skilla) 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 watercolor work depicts an assortment of spring bulbs and their blossoms.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1654 by the artist catalogued as 35199_person, this watercolor work depicts an assortment of spring bulbs and their blossoms. The composition presents hyacinths and sky-blue squills rendered with delicate brushwork against a pale yellow backdrop, highlighting the contrast between the vivid petals and the earthy tones of the bulbs and roots.

Subject & Meaning

The painting focuses on the natural forms of Hyacinthus orientalis and Scilla amoena, illustrating their varied hues—blue, white, and pink—and the stages of their development from bud to full bloom. By juxtaposing the flowers with their underground bulbs, the work subtly references the life cycle and the hidden vitality beneath the soil.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the artist employs translucent washes that lend a soft, airy quality to the petals while maintaining crisp detail in the foliage and bulb structures. The light yellow ground serves to unify the composition, allowing the colors of the blossoms to emerge with a gentle luminosity characteristic of 17th‑century botanical illustration.

History & Provenance

The piece entered the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it remains on display. Its attribution to the anonymous 35199_person reflects the practice of cataloguing works by unknown artists in museum records, preserving the artwork’s provenance from its mid‑17th‑century origin to its present institutional setting.