Artwork

Thalictrum aquilegiifolium (akeleje-frøstjerne); Thalictrum flavum (gul frøstjerne)

Thalictrum aquilegiifolium (akeleje-frøstjerne); Thalictrum flavum (gul frøstjerne) 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 serves as a visual record of two plant species, Thalictrum aquilegiifolium and Thalictrum flavus, rendered with attention to naturalistic detail.

The image, attributed to the artist catalogued as 35199_person, dates to around 1654 and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It presents a botanical illustration featuring three upright stems, each bearing a compact inflorescence. The work serves as a visual record of two plant species, Thalictrum aquilegiifolium and Thalictrum flavus, rendered with attention to naturalistic detail.

Subject & Meaning

The illustration depicts the foliage and flower heads of two meadow rue species. One stem displays pale yellow blossoms, another shows soft purple, and the third combines yellow and green tones. By juxtaposing the two taxa, the image highlights variations in flower coloration and leaf morphology within the genus, offering a comparative study for viewers.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine line work and subtle shading, the drawing emphasizes the precise shape of each leaf and the delicate texture of the petals. The approach reflects the scientific illustration practices of the mid‑seventeenth century, where accuracy in form and proportion was paramount for botanical documentation.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1654, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains part of the institution’s botanical illustration collection. Its attribution to the anonymous 35199_person aligns with archival records of early modern natural history artworks.