Zomerschoon tulip (1620), Fritillaria meleagris and forget-me-not.
2023
Oil on poplar panel
15.5 x 15.5 cm (6.3 x 6.3″), Framed dimensions: 25.5 x 25.5 cm (10.2 x 10.2″)
Set in a 23ct hand-water gilded Empire frame.
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This is a painting of the now rare Zomerschoon tulip.
The Zomerschoon was first cultivated and brought to market in Holland in 1620. Many tulips of that century were infected by a mosaic virus which prevented the tulips from developing their full colour, hence creating the ‘broken’ or feathered/striped petals. The affected tulip plants were weakened and eventually went extinct (modern striped tulips are not truly broken: their appearance is due to breeding). Unaware of the diseased state of these flowers, the Dutch became obsessed with tulips during the so-called Tulipmania period. This volatile market then crashed spectacularly in February 1637.
The Zomerschoon however developed tolerance to the virus and has survived to this day. Now virus-free, Zomerschoon still shows the ‘broken’ colour and is a truly wonderful survivor of 17th century Holland.
