Esmée Winkel



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A selection of botanical artwork
Please click the images to enlarge


Citaat Rogier van Vugt



Root of Hope



Cross gentian
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)

Watercolour on vellum
32 x 32 cm (12.6 x 12.6 in)







Tulipa 'Carla Teune'

Kandelaartje

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 in)

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 in)









Spiranthes lucida

Ophrys chlorantha

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 in)

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 in)






Ophrys spruneri

Ophrys tenthredinifera

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 in)



Sawfly orchid
Ophrys tenthredinifera

Bee Orchid series, #6
RHS Gold Medal 2018
 
Watercolour on paper
45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 in)







Vallée des Orchidées

Reuzenorchis

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 in)


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 in)








Ophrys apifera







Fucus vesiculosus
Bee orchid
Ophrys apifera

Bee Orchid series, #2
RHS Gold Medal 2018
 
Watercolour on paper
45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 in)

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 in)







Tulip tree




Tulip tree

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 in)


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 in)









Dried fruit composition

Galanthus woronowii

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 in)


My snowdrops
Galanthus woronowii

Watercolour on Vellum
15x 10 cm (6 x 4 in)








Tulip

Von Siebold Lily
Tulipa 'Estella Rijnveld'

Watercolour on paper
40 x 30 cm (15.8 x 11.8 in)


Von Siebolds Lily
Lilium speciosum var. rubrum

Watercolour on paper
50 x 40 cm (19.7 x 15.8 in)






Selected Botanical Illustrations:


All images are © Naturalis Biodiversity Center.


Dendrobium goodallianum
Legumes - Tadehagi triquetrum Specklinia
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
Leguminosae Tadehagi triquetrum
Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm

Drawn for Dr. F. Adema, Naturalis Biodiversity Center - Herbarium



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)'. 




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