Artwork

Day Lily

Day Lily, by Unknown, watercolor, 1600
Day Lily, by Unknown, watercolor, 1600

Day Lily is a watercolor work on paper by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This painting shows a delicate day lily flower in watercolour.
It's interesting because it's part of a huge collection of drawings and prints from the 17th century.
The collection was put together by Cassiano dal Pozzo, who was into science and nature.
This flower drawing is a small part of that.
You can learn more at the museum: Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

Day Lily is a watercolour depicting a single, delicate day lily flower. It forms part of the extensive 'Paper Museum' collection compiled by 17th-century Roman collector Cassiano dal Pozzo.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a day lily, reflects the collection's focus on natural history. The work was intended as an objective, scientific record, emphasizing observation over artistic expression.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the piece likely adheres to the commission's requirement for clarity and objectivity. Stylistic attributions suggest possible authorship by Vincenzo Leonardi, a frequent collaborator with Cassiano dal Pozzo.

History & Provenance

Created as part of Cassiano dal Pozzo's 'Paper Museum', a 17th-century visual encyclopaedia, the work is now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, part of the approximately 7000 surviving drawings from the collection.

Context

Commissioned by a member of the Accademia dei Lincei, one of Europe's first modern scientific academies, the piece embodies the era's emphasis on observational science, predating similar institutions in London and Paris.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known