Tulips are known as “Rembrandt tulips” because of their association with the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn. Although tulips were already very popular in the Netherlands for centuries, the name “Rembrandt tulip” came into use much later.
In the 17th century, known as the Dutch Golden Age, tulips were seen as a true status symbol. They were so valuable that they were used as a form of trade. This led to a period known as “tulip mania,” one of the first recorded economic bubbles. At the height of this craze, the price of a single tulip bulb could equal the value of a canal house in Amsterdam.
Rembrandt van Rijn
Kanok
Alise
Interestingly, Rembrandt himself, despite being one of the most important painters of the Golden Age, never painted flower still lifes. In fact, only one tulip ever appeared in his entire body of work.
The name “Rembrandt tulips” was later given to a group of tulip varieties with dramatic patterns on their petals – streaks, flames and bold markings. These unique colours were actually caused by a mosaic virus, though this wasn’t discovered until 1928. At the time, no one knew the beautiful patterns were the result of disease.
Today, Rembrandt tulips are back, just as striking, but now healthy and safe to grow. These modern versions are bred to have the same flame-like markings, without the virus. We grow varieties like Alise and Kanok, two beautiful tulips that carry that historical look, with all the magic and none of the risk.
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