A beautiful, large watercolour drawing of a blue passion flower (Passiflora caerula, image 42 x 27 cm), by the Haarlem painter Jan Jansz. van der Vinne (1734-1805), showing a vine with two flowers fully opened and another closed, as well as numerous leaves, buds and runners. The passion flower is indigenous to South America, but became a popular ornamental plant in Europe due to its exotic and spectacular appearance. Jan Jansz. van der Vinne no doubt learned to paint from his father Jan van der Vinne (1699-1753), a member of the Haarlem painters' guild best known for his flower and landscape drawings. Before Jan Jansz.'s botanical drawings came to light he was best known for his landscape drawings and etchings, but it now appears that his flower drawings were his most important work.
In fine condition. A beautiful botanical watercolour, showing the spectacular passion flower. Hans van Leeuwen collection II: 18th and early 19th century Dutch and Flemish master drawings, Amsterdam, Christies, 24 November 1992, lot 430; for the Van der Vinne family: Scheen, p. 551.