Artwork

Sempervivum arachnoideum (spindelvæv-husløg); Sedum album (hvid stenurt); Sedum acre (bidende stenurt); Sedum rupestre (bjerg-stenurt); Sedum sexangulare (seksradet stenurt)

Sempervivum arachnoideum (spindelvæv-husløg); Sedum album (hvid stenurt); Sedum acre (bidende stenurt); Sedum rupestre (bjerg-stenurt); Sedum sexangulare (seksradet stenurt) 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 botanical grouping of five succulent species: Sempervivum arachnoideum, Sedum album, Sedum acre, Sedum rupestre, and Sedum sexangulare. Executed as a watercolor image, the piece is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

Each plant is rendered with attention to its distinctive foliage and flower form, highlighting the diversity within the Crassulaceae family. The composition invites comparison of leaf textures and growth habits, suggesting an interest in cataloguing natural variation rather than conveying narrative content.

Technique & Style

The watercolor medium allows for translucent washes that capture subtle shifts of green and occasional yellow blooms. Fine brushwork delineates leaf margins and vein structures, while delicate lighting effects create a sense of three‑dimensionality on the flat surface, emphasizing the artist’s observational precision.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑17th century, the image has remained within institutional holdings and is presently displayed at the Museum of Ethnography. Its attribution to 35199_person reflects cataloguing conventions used by the museum, and no further ownership changes are recorded.