Artwork

Rosa hemisphaerica (svovlgul rose); Rosa ×alba (hvid rose)

Rosa hemisphaerica (svovlgul rose); Rosa ×alba (hvid rose), by Unknown, unspecified, 1650
Rosa hemisphaerica (svovlgul rose); Rosa ×alba (hvid rose), by Unknown, unspecified, 1650

Rosa hemisphaerica (svovlgul rose); Rosa ×alba (hvid rose) 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 known as 35199_person, this watercolor image presents a pair of roses rendered with precise naturalism.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1650 by the artist known as 35199_person, this watercolor image presents a pair of roses rendered with precise naturalism. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of early botanical illustration.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features two distinct roses: a yellow bloom positioned above a white one, each supported by a slender stem and accompanied by a few leaves. The contrasting hues invite a quiet comparison of colour and form, emphasizing the delicate beauty of each flower without overt symbolic narrative.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the painting employs fine brushwork to convey the texture of petals and foliage, while a muted beige background provides a subtle contrast that enhances the floral subjects. The artist’s handling of light and shadow creates a sense of three‑dimensionality, characteristic of mid‑seventeenth‑century botanical renderings.

History & Provenance

Attributed to 35199_person, the image dates to the mid‑17th century, a period when detailed plant studies were increasingly valued for both scientific and decorative purposes. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date and remains catalogued under the titles Rosa hemisphaerica (svovlgul rose) and Rosa ×alba (hvid rose).

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known