Madeliefje - de nationale bloem van Nederland Bellis perennis The daisy was voted the national flower of the Netherlands. The election was an initiative of radio and television program Vroege Vogels BNNVARA together with a jury that consisted of Esther van Gelder (cultuurhistoricus and conservator at the KB, the national library), Baudewijn Odé, (ecologist at FLORON), Norbert Peeters (botanical philosopher and lecturer at Wageningen University & Research), Nils van Rooijen (plant ecologist at Wageningen University & Research), Rogier van Vugt (head horticulture at Hortus botanicus Leiden) and Esmée Winkel (botanical artist and illustrator at Naturalis Biodiversity Center). The painting was exhibited at Teylers Museum and on March 24th 2024 Vroege Vogels presented a live program in the museum. After having exhibited at Teylers Museum the artwork took part in the exhibition BLOOM that was held at Royal Palace Het Loo. The painting presents the Dutch national flower in her full glory, from buds to flowers to fruit. Other plants from the top five in the election are scattered among more than 300 daisies as well as bird feathers, a reverence to the Dutch national bird the black-tailed godwit. Watercolour paint on 600 gsm hot pressed paper Framed 60 x 80 cm (21.7 x 29.5 inch) Signed on the lower right side In private collection

Root of Hope Ophrys species Bee orchid This artwork is inspired by primatologist and UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall, who travels the world to share her inspiring message and ideas. Her Jane Goodall Institute runs the program Roots & Shoots that aims at bringing together young people to work on environmental, conservation and humanitarian issues. With this painting I aim to touch upon one of their messages of Hope: Nature is very resilient. From what at first seems to be a brown and dead orchid, new life will grow in the midsts of winter from its tuber, the Root of Hope.		Kruisbladgentiaan Gentiana cruciata and various accompanying plants in the Dutch dunes. Although very beautiful, this rare plant is on the Dutch Red List of endangered plant species. With a few exceptions this precious gem can be found in the Netherlands almost exclusively in our Dutch dunes. These dunes are extremely important as they are a natural form of coastal defense, they are home to a very rich world of plants and animals and also provide drinking water for so many people.
Watercolour on paper 45 x 75 cm (17.8 x 29.5 inch) In private collection		Watercolour on vellum 32 x 32 cm (12.6 x 12.6 inch) In private collection

Tulipa 'Carla Teune' A study of Tulipa ‘Carla Teune’, made for the special occasion of Carla Teune her 80th birthday. Carla has been working at the Hortus Leiden since 1967, became the Hortulanus in 1984, received several honorable mentions, and after 56 years she can still be found contributing so much to the garden and to plants and today! Tulipa ‘Carla Teune’ was named in her honor. Watch an interview with Carla Teune here Watercolor & graphite on paper 40 x 50 cm (15.7 x 19.7 inch) In private collection		Kandelaartje Saxifraga tridactylites Did you know that these tiny ‘weeds’ are actually important contributors to biodiversity in the cities and even play a role in cooling down the urban landscape? According to a study on pollinators it appears that many wild urban weeds provide a high quantity of nectar and pollen, often much more than a variety of garden plants. Pavement and wall plants are also important as winter food sources for insects. Even more, the roots below the concrete seem to create tiny micro habitats supporting other animals such as woodlice, worms, spiders, slugs and snails. These in turn become the food for birds and hedgehogs. Watercolor on paper 20 x 30 cm (7.8 x 11.8 inch) In private collection

An American in Holland Spiranthes lucida and various accompanying plants. Common names: Glansschroeforchis, Shining ladies’ tresses The summer of 2021 has brought many extraordinary expeditions, among others to a plant that is a bit of a mystery. In 2014 a beautiful and delicate orchid was discovered in Ameide. It is native to eastern Canada and the United States, yet 12 plants were in full bloom here in the Netherlands. Shining Ladies’-tresses grow in saturated, calcareous soils. Typical habitats include stream and river banks or floodplain terraces, similar to our location here along the river Lek. How they found there way to the Netherlands is still a mystery! Watercolour on vellum 30 x 30 cm (12 x 12 inch) In private collection		White Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera var. chlorantha and various accompanying plants. This painting was made after an exciting plant expedition to the dunes in Holland where we found an exquisite white variety of a bee orchid. The beautiful grass Briza media and various species from the clover family accompanied the orchids in this area. Watercolour on vellum 25 x 37 cm (9.8 x 14.5 inch) In private collection

Early spider-orchid Ophrys spruneri Bee Orchid series, #1 RHS Gold Medal 2018   Watercolour on paper 45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 inch) In private collection		Sawfly orchid Ophrys tenthredinifera Bee Orchid series, #6 RHS Gold Medal 2018   Watercolour on paper 45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 inch) In private collection

Vallée des Orchidées Ophrys fuciflora, Ophrys insectifera and various accompanying plants. This painting was made after a most exciting plant expedition to the beautiful South of Belgium where we found these gorgeous orchids on a hill. Watercolour on paper 50 x 40 cm (19.6 x 15.7 inch) In private collection		Giant orchid Himantoglossum robertianum In March 2020 this species was discovered in the dunes of Noordwijk. It was a privilege to paint this orchid, new for the Netherlands. Read more about it here Watercolour on paper 80 x 60 cm (31.5 x 23.6 inch) In private collection

Bee orchid Ophrys apifera Bee Orchid series, #2 RHS Gold Medal 2018   Watercolour on paper 45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 inch) In private collection		Seaweeds composition #1 Fucus vesiculosus, Gracilariopsis longissima These seaweeds form a composition of seaweeds from the Noth Sea. This piece was made for Naturalis Biodiversity Center and included in the series "Leven in de Noordzee". Watercolour on paper 15 x 30 cm (6 x 11.8 inch) In the permanent collection of Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera This Tulip tree was planted in 1716 by Prof. Herman Boerhaave, prefect of the Hortus Botanicus Leiden at that time, making this specimen 300 years old in 2016. Pen and Ink on paper 50 x 40 cm (19.7 x 15.7 inch) In private collection		Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera This artwork was also inspired by the over 300 year old Tulip tree at the Hortus botanicus Leiden. The painting was part of the exhibition Out of the Woods in the US and is now part of a respected privat collection. Watercolour on paper 50 x 40 cm (19.7 x 15.7 inch) In private collection

Dried Fruit Composition A composition of various types of dried fruit found at the Missouri botanical garden. Watercolour on paper 9 x 12 cm (3.5 x 4.7 inch) In private collection		My snowdrops Galanthus woronowii Watercolour on Vellum 15x 10 cm (6 x 4 inch) In private collection

Tulipa 'Estella Rijnveld' Watercolour on paper 40 x 30 cm (15.8 x 11.8 inch) In private collection		Von Siebolds Lily Lilium speciosum var. rubrum Watercolour on paper 50 x 40 cm (19.7 x 15.8 inch) In private collection

Selected Botanical Illustrations:

Orchidaceae Dendrobium goodallianum Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm Drawn for Dr. E. de Vogel, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and R. van Vugt, Hortus Botanicus Leiden.  This species is named in honour of Dame Jane Morris Goodall who is a biologist best known for her work with Chimpanzees.  She still is very active promoting nature conservation across many countries and all generations. Together with Gail Hudson, she recently published the book 'Seeds of Hope', in which an entire chapter is dedicated to the conservation of orchids. Published in Malesian Orchid Journal Vol. 14 In the permanent collection of Naturalis Biodiversity Center	Leguminosae Tadehagi triquetrum Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm Drawn for Dr. F. Adema, Naturalis Biodiversity Center - Herbarium.  In the permanent collection of Naturalis Biodiversity Center	Orchidaceae Specklinia pfavii Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm Drawn for Dr. A. Karremans, Lankester Botanical Garden, Costa Rica. This orchid species is part of a series of illustrations made for the thesis 'Systematic, phylogenetic and pollination studies of Specklinia (Orchidaceae)'.  In the permanent collection of Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Please do not use any of the images on this website without written permission. All artworks and images are copyrighted.