Artwork
Bromelia
Bromelia is a watercolor work on paper by Johann Knapp. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Bromelia is a watercolour painting of a flowering plant, created by Johann Knapp in 1850. The work is a detailed botanical illustration, characteristic of its time.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a single bloom with long, pointed leaves radiating from it. The flower's appearance is more akin to a tulip than a bromelia, despite the artist's labelling.
Technique & Style
The artist employed watercolour to achieve a precise representation of the plant, with a plain light background that emphasizes the subject.
Context
Such meticulous botanical drawings were typical for scientific and horticultural purposes during the mid-19th century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Knapp drew plants so precisely you’d swear they’re still alive on the page. The man spent hours in gardens, ink in hand, tracing every vein on a leaf like he was solving a puzzle. His watercolors of Pitcairnia…
Hemerocallis Flava
Iris ochroleuca
Les Liliacées: Amaryllis Lutes
Polianthes tuberosa (tuberose); Amaryllis belladonna (belladonnalilje)
Orange Day Lily
Gold-banded Iris
Sternbergia lutea (almindelig sternbergia); Colchicum autumnale (høst-tidløs); Colchicum variegatum (plettet tidløs)
Plantae Selectae: No. 52 - Ixia
Narcissus ×incomparabilis (have-narcis); Narcissus pseudonarcissus (påskelilje)
Rex Floridanorum
Iris pumila (lav iris) eller Iris lutescens (dværg-iris); Iris graminea (græsbladet iris)