simplicissima

Simplicissima is a term that can refer to a few different concepts, primarily in botany and art history. In botany, simplicissima is often used as a species epithet, meaning "very simple" or "most simple," to describe a plant species that is notably plain or unadorned in its characteristics compared to related species. This designation is a Latin adjective in the superlative form, indicating a high degree of simplicity. For example, a specific variety of a plant might be named "simplicissima" if it lacks the complex petal structures or intricate leaf patterns found in other cultivars or species within the same genus.

In art history, particularly in the context of the Renaissance, simplicissima relates to a style characterized by extreme simplicity and clarity. This artistic approach eschewed elaborate ornamentation and complex compositions in favor of fundamental forms and a direct, unembellished presentation. Artists who worked in a simplicissima style aimed to convey their message with a purity and directness that contrasted with more decorative or complex artistic trends of their time. This could manifest in architectural designs, sculptural works, or even manuscript illuminations where the focus was on essential elements and a reduction of visual clutter. The term emphasizes a deliberate choice to pare down complexity to its most basic and essential components.