Artwork

Narcissus pseudonarcissus moschatus (moskus-narcis); Narcissus bulbocodium (krinoline-narcis); Narcissus pseudonarcissus (påskelilje)

Narcissus pseudonarcissus moschatus (moskus-narcis); Narcissus bulbocodium (krinoline-narcis); Narcissus pseudonarcissus (påskelilje) 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 by the artist catalogued as 35199_person, this small-scale image depicts three slender stems bearing narcissus flowers.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1650 by the artist catalogued as 35199_person, this small-scale image depicts three slender stems bearing narcissus flowers. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and is presented as an illustration rather than a painted canvas.

Subject & Meaning

The illustration shows three distinct narcissus varieties—moschus, bulbocodium, and the common spring daffodil—each rendered on a separate stem. Two of the blossoms are white and slightly wilted, while the central flower is a closed, bright yellow bud, highlighting differences in stage of bloom and species characteristics.

Technique & Style

Fine linear work emphasizes the delicate veining of petals and the subtle curvature of the stems. The background is a uniform light beige, allowing the botanical details to dominate. Numbered annotations accompany each flower, indicating a systematic, possibly scientific, approach to the rendering.

History & Provenance

The image dates to the mid‑17th century, a period when botanical illustration served both artistic and scholarly purposes. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified later date, where it remains accessible as part of the institution’s ethnobotanical documentation.