BLOOM - A Fascination with Flowers and Plants
Saturday October 17th 2026 t/m Sunday April 4th 2027
How do you capture the beauty of a flower; from its vibrant colours to its smallest details? For centuries, artists and scientists have explored this question. In BLOOM Stadsmuseum Woerden brings together botanical science, art and wonder.
The exhibition explores how plants have been studied, collected and depicted throughout history. Highlights include Rembert Dodoens’ sixteenth-century Cruydt-Boeck, an important guide to medicinal plants, and Crispijn van de Passe’s seventeenth-century Blom-Hof, featuring prints of tulips, hyacinths and other prized flowers.
Even in the age of photography, botanical drawing remains valuable to science. Using pencil, pen and watercolour, artists can reveal details that photographs may miss, while bringing their own artistic vision to the subject.
BLOOM presents contemporary botanical art by Ingrid Elias, Marionne van de Klashorst, Angelique Krijnen, Dick Smit, Anita Walsmit Sachs, Esmée Winkel, Marloes Vreeburg and Wil Wessel. Their delicate lines, vivid colours and remarkable attention to detail bring the natural world to life. The exhibition also features intricate embroidery by Irma Frijlink and delicate paper flowers by Stine Berg Evensen.
In a specially recorded interview, experts from different fields share their insights into historical and contemporary botanical illustration, revealing the knowledge, skill and dedication behind every image.
