Who painted Spartium junceum (spartium)?

Spartium junceum (spartium) was painted by Unknown in 1654.

Where can I see Spartium junceum (spartium)?

Spartium junceum (spartium) is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Spartium junceum (spartium)

Spartium junceum (spartium) is an unspecified work on paper by Unknown. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Spartium junceum, commonly known as spartium, is a botanical illustration executed around 1654 by the artist identified as 35199_person.

About this work

Overview

Spartium junceum, commonly known as spartium, is a botanical illustration executed around 1654 by the artist identified as 35199_person. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and presents a close study of the plant’s form and coloration.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts three slender, upright stems of Spartium junceum, each bearing clusters of bright yellow, five‑petaled flowers at their tips. The delicate leaves are rendered along the stems, emphasizing the plant’s linear growth habit and the subtle curvature of the blossoms.

Technique & Style

Rendered with meticulous attention to detail, the illustration employs fine lines to delineate the narrow stems and tiny foliage, while the vivid yellow of the flowers contrasts sharply against a plain white background. The precision suggests direct observation of the specimen, typical of mid‑seventeenth‑century botanical drawing practices.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1654, the work has been preserved within the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography. Its attribution to 35199_person reflects cataloguing conventions rather than a widely recognized name, and the piece remains an example of early scientific illustration in the museum’s ethnographic collection.