Artwork

Jasminum odoratissimum (stue-jasmin); Jasminum officinale (læge-jasmin)

Jasminum odoratissimum (stue-jasmin); Jasminum officinale (læge-jasmin) 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

The work, attributed to the artist identified as 35199_person, dates to around 1654 and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It presents two botanical subjects rendered in watercolor, each occupying its own vertical space against an unadorned background.

Subject & Meaning

One plant depicted is Jasminum odoratissimum, commonly known as indoor jasmine, shown with glossy green foliage and modest yellow blossoms. The second is Jasminum officinale, or common jasmine, illustrated with slender stems crowned by airy clusters of white flowers. The pairing highlights contrasting floral forms within the same genus.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the drawing relies on transparent washes and fine line work to convey the texture of leaves and the delicate structure of the blooms. The artist’s attention to the precise outline of each leaf and petal reflects the meticulous approach typical of early modern botanical illustration, intended for accurate visual study.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑17th century, the piece has remained within institutional holdings and is now displayed by the Museum of Ethnography. Its survival suggests it was valued for its scientific utility as well as its aesthetic qualities, likely serving as a reference in contemporary herbals or natural history texts.