Bilder James Sowerby (1757–1822) – Botanical Study of the Musk Thistle – Hand-coloured engraving (1799)

Beskrivning

"Carduus nutans" presents a detailed botanical study of the musk thistle. The composition features a thick, spiny stem supporting a large, globular flower head with reddish-purple florets and several spiny green bracts. A smaller, unopened bud is shown just below the primary blossom, and a separate detail of an individual floret is included to the right of the stem. 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:
1799.

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.