A precise 1765 botanical watercolour study of a hyacinth variety by Dutch artist Jan Augustini, capturing the delicate structure and soft hues of the flower.

This botanical study by Jan Augustini depicts the hyacinth variety known as Gloria Florum Suprema, also referred to as Kroon van Groot Brittanien. Executed in 1765, the work demonstrates the precision characteristic of eighteenth-century Dutch botanical art. Augustini, a painter based in Haarlem, focused his practice on the meticulous documentation of flora, often commissioned by wealthy collectors and horticultural enthusiasts who sought to record the specific traits of rare bulbs.

The composition is spare, placing the specimen against a neutral background to allow for an unobstructed view of its structure. The artist employs a delicate application of watercolour, layering soft washes to build the volume of the petals and the elongated, tapering leaves. The central stalk rises vertically, supporting a cluster of florets that transition from a pale, creamy white at the edges to a soft, blush-pink hue at the centre. The leaves are rendered in varying shades of muted green, with subtle tonal shifts that suggest their fleshy, succulent texture.

Augustini’s approach is analytical rather than decorative. He captures the specific morphology of the plant, from the slight curvature of the leaves to the precise arrangement of the individual blossoms. The inscription at the top identifies the variety, while the artist’s signature and date appear in the lower right corner, confirming the provenance of this specific study. Such works were frequently compiled into florilegia, serving as both scientific records and aesthetic objects for private study. This print offers a clear view of the artist's technical skill, particularly in the handling of light and shadow across the organic forms of the hyacinth. It remains a representative example of the period's fascination with the classification and visual preservation of botanical specimens.