Johanna Helena Herolt
Johanna Helena Herolt was a daughter of the famous Maria Sibylla Merian and was fascinated by tulips. She would have been aware of the legendary tulip mania of the Dutch Golden Era. Tulip bulbs took two years to grow and bloom, yet just ten bulbs of rare tulip varieties, such as Semper Augustus, were worth more than a house. Even in the early 18th century, when tulips no longer sold for such vast sums, Herolt found a use for them: in this piece, she places the blooms with irises in an arrangement that also brings to the fore their associated insects.
Herolt was born into a family of artists, which included not only Merian, but her father and sister as well. Some of her pieces echo their style but she also had her own approach, and her eye for striking combinations of flowers made her work starkly unique. This uncommon painting depicts two Rembrandt tulips, along with one single and one double iris.
Today it's the last day of February; that means that tomorrow we start Women History Month! Stay tuned! :)
P.S. Check out the beautiful tulips painted by another amazing Dutch female artist, Rachel Ruysch. <3
P.P.S. If you're up for more Women Artists, check out our Women Artists 50 Postcard Set!