Artwork

Petasites hybridus (rød hestehov)

Petasites hybridus (rød hestehov), by Unknown, unspecified, 1654
Petasites hybridus (rød hestehov), by Unknown, unspecified, 1654

Petasites hybridus (rød hestehov) 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

Petasites hybridus (rød hestehov) is a botanical artwork created circa 1654 by 35199_person, currently housed at the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts two specimens of Petasites hybridus, highlighting their tall purple flower spikes, broad green leaves, and extensive root systems. The detailed rendering served an identification purpose, characteristic of illustrations in historical botanical texts.

Technique & Style

Executed with meticulous attention to detail, the artwork showcases the artist's focus on botanical accuracy, from leaf venation to root texture. The medium, watercolor, was commonly used in early plant illustrations for its precision and delicacy.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid-17th century, the work's provenance is traced to its current location at the Museum of Ethnography, though specific historical ownership details before its acquisition are not provided.

Context

This artwork reflects the 17th-century emphasis on botanical documentation, often driven by scientific curiosity and the need for accurate species identification in emerging natural history studies.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known