Fringed Tulip – anonymous, c. 1820

Fringed Tulip, drawing in gouache and watercolour, presumably created in southern Germany or Austria around 1820. Size: 36.4 x 22 cm.

This exquisite “broken” tulip features vibrant red petals with subtle yellow and green accents along the edges. The fringed tips give the tulip an airy and refined appearance, characteristic of certain varieties that were highly sought after in 17th- and 18th-century Europe. At the time, it was not yet known that the colour breaking was caused by a virus.

The swift brushwork suggests a silky texture, with the subtle interplay of light and shadow lending the flower an almost three-dimensional effect. The stem is slender and elegantly curved, while the large green leaves are rendered with soft colour transitions.

The composition and technique align with classic botanical illustrations from the early 19th century, where scientific precision and aesthetic beauty converge. The depiction of the tulip’s natural elegance makes this a fine example of botanical art from the period.

Price: Euro 950,-