Bilder James Sowerby (1757–1822) – Botanical Study of the Water Violet – Hand-coloured engraving (1804)

Beskrivning

"Hottonia palustris" presents a detailed botanical study of the water violet. The composition features a central upright flowering stalk emerging from a cluster of deeply pinnated, submerged green foliage. The stalk bears several whorls of five-petalled, pale pink flowers with yellow centers, shown in various stages of bloom from tight buds at the apex to fully opened blossoms below. This hand-coloured engraving is part of the foundational series English Botany, or, Coloured Figures of British Plants, with Essential Characters, Synonyms, and Places of Growth, published in London by James Sowerby. The work is renowned for its scientific accuracy and its role in cataloging the native and naturalized flora of the British Isles during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

James Sowerby was a prominent British naturalist, illustrator, and engraver who founded a dynasty of scientific artists. He studied at the Royal Academy and initially specialized in portraiture before turning his attention to the meticulous documentation of the natural world. Sowerby is best known for his collaborative efforts with leading botanists, such as James Edward Smith, to produce thousands of plates for major scientific publications. His contributions to botany, mycology, and mineralogy provided an essential visual record that helped standardize scientific classification in Great Britain.

Artist or Maker:
James Sowerby.

Dimensions:
Approximately 23 cm x 13 cm.

Medium:
Hand-coloured engraving.

Date:
1804.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.