This artwork, titled “Butter Cups, Red Clover and Plantain,” was created by Albrecht Dürer in 1526. It belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement and is categorized as a flower painting. Dürer was known for his high level of detail and precision, which is evident in this piece.
The artwork is a black and white image that exhibits a meticulous study of various plants. In the center, the plantain shows its broad leaves spreading close to the base, with distinct vein patterns that are characteristic of the plant. The buttercups rise on slender stems with their delicate, cup-shaped flowers catching the light and drawing the viewer’s attention. Their petals are rounded and display fine detail, giving a sense of their velvety texture. The red clover is interspersed among the composition, with its trifoliate leaves and round, pompom-like flower heads. The entire arrangement of plants is set against a plain background, which emphasizes the plants’ intricate details and the artist’s skillful representation of botanical elements. The use of light and shadow in the monochromatic representation suggests dimensionality and depth, making the plants appear lifelike.
