Artwork
Study of a Tulip (Gemarmerde van Jasper)
Study of a Tulip (Gemarmerde van Jasper) is a drawing by the Baroque artist Pieter Holsteyn II. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This 17th‑century Dutch drawing depicts a single tulip whose petals display distinctive striations.
About this work
Overview
This 17th‑century Dutch drawing depicts a single tulip whose petals display distinctive striations. The illustration was created as part of a specialized tulip catalogue that growers used to promote their most prized specimens during the period known as tulip mania.
Subject & Meaning
The flower shown is a tulip whose irregular, vein‑like markings were caused by a viral infection of the bulb. Such markings, rather than diminishing the flower’s appeal, increased its market value, as collectors prized the unusual patterns as signs of rarity.
Technique & Style
Executed in fine pen and wash, the work reflects the meticulous botanical illustration tradition of the Dutch Golden Age. The artist rendered the delicate texture of the petals with precise line work, while subtle shading conveys the three‑dimensional form of the bloom.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Pieter Holsteyn II, a noted specialist in plant drawing, the sheet bears a Dutch label translating roughly to “marriage of jasper stone.” It was produced for a commercial tulip book and later entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is now displayed.
Context
During the 1630s and 1640s, tulip bulbs could command prices rivaling those of Amsterdam canal houses, fueling a speculative market. Illustrations like this served both as scientific records and as marketing tools, helping growers advertise the most coveted, virus‑induced varieties to affluent buyers.
Artist & collection
