Esmée Winkel



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A selection of botanical artwork
Please click the images to enlarge


Citaat Rogier van Vugt


 
madeliefjes
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







Malus species

Diospyros lotus

Malus species
Sierappel, Crab apple


Watercolour on vellum
25 x 20 cm (9.8 x 7.9 inch)


Date plum
Diospyros lotus

In this watercolour a flowering branch from both male and female tree are painted. The male tree was planted in the Hortus botanicus Leiden in 1736. The lovely female tree is much younger and can be found in the fern garden at the Hortus.



Watercolour on paper
30 x 20 cm (11.8 x 7.9 inch)
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Blackberry lily


Tulip

Blackberry lily
Iris domestica

This painting was part of the 19th international exhibition hosted by The New York Design Center and the American Society of Botanical artists. Read the story behind the artwork here.


Pink tulip
Tulipa humilis

Under the synonym Tulipa aucheriana this plant has been given the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Watercolour on paper
60 x 42 cm (23.6 x 16.5 inch)

In private collection

Watercolour on paper
35 x 40 cm (13.8 x 15.7 inch)
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Galanthus woronowii

Tulipa 'Carla Teune'
My snowdrops
Galanthus woronowii


Watercolour on Vellum
15x 10 cm (6 x 4 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








Tulip

Von Siebold Lily
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



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 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

Cross gentian

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


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 vellum
32 x 32 cm (12.6 x 12.6 inch)
In private collection





A selection of Orchid paintings




Ophrys fuciflora

Brassavola nodosa

Late spider-orchid

Ophrys fuciflora subsp. apulica

Bee Orchid series, #3
RHS Gold Medal 2018

This painting was also part of the
23rd Annual International exhibition by the American Society of Botanical Artists and hosted by Wave Hill, US.
 
Watercolour on paper
45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 inch)
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My Roots
Brassavola nodosa

This orchid grows on the Caribbean island Curaçao, drawn in pencil in the back of the watercolour. It has been growing in my mother's garden since I can remember and in the evenings its flowers produce a lovely smell. This painting holds many wonderful memories.
Watercolour on paper
50x 60 cm (19.6 x 23.6 inch)
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Ophrys reinholdii

Ophrys bombyliflora

Ophrys reinholdii


Bee Orchid series, #4
RHS Gold Medal 2018
 
Watercolour on paper
45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 inch)

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Enchantment
Ophrys bombyliflora
with Eucera oraniensis

After just having a couple of pollinia get stuck to its head by a bumblebee orchid flower, this little long-horned bee became enchanted by another one. Flying off to the next one the light from the left follows the bee to the awaiting flower.

Watercolour on paper
75 x 60 cm (29.5 x 23.6 inch)

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Ophrys aesculapii

Ophrys balearica

Ophrys sphegodes
subsp. aesculapii


A beautiful orchid endemic to Greece, where it is known from the southern and eastern part of the Peloponnese.


Watercolour on paper
30 x 30 cm (11.8 x 11.8 inch)
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Tiny Treasure

Ophrys balearica

This tiny orchid can only be found on the Balearic Islands. Although not very uncommon on the islands, this species seems to rarely grow in large numbers. In spring it shows off its extraordinary flowers. The blackness and size of its velvety labellum, one of the flower petals, and the metallic-like mirror on the labellum are several of its most striking features. With a microscope one suddenly sees an even larger array of colour. Nature has so much extraordinary beauty to offer us if we just take a tiny moment. It was my aim to portray this unique orchid in a way that reflected the idea of nature’s hidden treasure by painting the orchid live size, but at the same time showing its extraordinary details for all to enjoy without that microscope! 

Watercolour on paper
55 x 70 cm (21.7 x 27.6 inch)
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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 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






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 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

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 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








Ophrys apifera



Ophrys insectifera
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

Fly orchid
Ophrys insectifera

Fly orchid and various accompanying plants specific for that location in southern Belgium. Of the whole genus it has the most insect-like flowers. Furthermore, it is the most northern occuring species of Ophrys.

Watercolour on Vellum
30 x 40 cm (11.8 x 15.8 inch)
In private collection










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