Artwork

Primula vulgaris (karnevals-kodriver); Primula vulgaris (hybrid af storblomstret kodriver); Primula veris (hybrid af hulkravet kodriver)

Primula vulgaris (karnevals-kodriver); Primula vulgaris (hybrid af storblomstret kodriver); Primula veris (hybrid af hulkravet kodriver) 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 and dated to around 1654, presents a detailed illustration of three primrose species: Primula vulgaris in two forms and Primula veris. Executed as an image, the piece is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The illustration depicts three distinct plants, each bearing small, vividly coloured blossoms—predominantly pink, yellow and white—with a single cluster of minute orange buds. Broad leaves accompany the flowers, and the roots are rendered to reveal the plants’ subterranean structure, emphasizing botanical form and growth.

Technique & Style

Rendered in watercolor, the image relies on transparent washes applied in thin layers to convey depth and delicate colour variation. Precise line work defines leaf outlines and floral arrangements, reflecting the scientific illustration style common in the mid‑seventeenth century.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1654, the piece entered the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography, where it remains accessible for study. Its attribution to 35199_person is based on museum records linking the work to that creator.