Artwork

Iris xiphium, evt. Iris latifolia (?) (spansk iris eller engelsk iris)

Iris xiphium, evt. Iris latifolia (?) (spansk iris eller engelsk iris) is an unspecified work on paper by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around 1650, this work depicts two iris blossoms rendered in a delicate watercolor style.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1650, this work depicts two iris blossoms rendered in a delicate watercolor style. The composition is set against a uniform light‑beige background, allowing the flowers and their upright green leaves to dominate the visual field. The piece is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on two iris flowers, each displaying a vivid yellow throat and softly striped, pale petals. The botanical representation emphasizes the natural form and subtle coloration of the species, inviting contemplation of the plant’s structure and the quiet elegance of a simple garden subject.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the artist achieved a translucent quality through layered glazing, allowing light to pass through the thin pigment. Fine brushwork renders the fuzzy petal margins and delicate shading, while the green foliage is depicted with precise, vertical strokes. The overall effect balances transparency with detailed observation.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the artist catalogued as 35199_person, the work dates to the mid‑17th century. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display as part of the institution’s representation of historic botanical illustration.

Context

During the 1650s, watercolor became a favored medium for naturalists and artists documenting flora. This piece reflects that tradition, aligning with contemporary interests in scientific observation and the aesthetic appreciation of plant life, particularly within the broader European practice of detailed botanical illustration.