Category: Botanical print

Flower pictures and illustrations by Australian artist Ellis Rowan (Marian Ellis Rowan). Living from 1848 to 1922, she was also a botanical illustrator and did a series of illustrations on birds, butterflies and insects.

“Flame Azalea, Rhododendron calendulaceum . 1901. Australian. Offset color reproduction of a painting that was used as an illustration in Alice Lounsberry’s 1901 work Southern Wild Flowers and Trees. In the public domain in the United States because the artist died in 1922 and because it was published in the United States before 1923. via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhododendron_calendulaceumCDP119A.jpg
One of six studies of Australian flora and funghi of Papua New Guinea. Undated, before 1922. Australian. Watercolor and bodycolor on card. Signed on the lower left. Image © Christie’s 2021. Fair use license. via https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5115271
“Golden rod and grasses.” Undated, before 1922. Australian. Watercolor and gouache on board. Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/16606/lot/197/
“Sunflower daisy.” Undated, before 1922. Australian. Watercolor and gouache on board. Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/16606/lot/197/
“Flowering Plum.” Undated, before 1922. Australian. Watercolor and gouache on board. Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/16606/lot/197/

Fish, birds and plants, plates from Mark Catesby’s two volume 1754 folio “The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, insects, and plants.” Second edition.

“Suillus” (?). Image from “The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, insects, and plants; particularly, those not hitherto described, or incorrectly figured by former authors, with their descriptions in English and French.” Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/fine-books-and-manuscripts-2/catesby-mark-the-most-famous-colorplate-book-of
“Turdus Rhomboidalis” (upper) and “Turdus” (lower image). Image from “The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, insects, and plants; particularly, those not hitherto described, or incorrectly figured by former authors, with their descriptions in English and French.” Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/fine-books-and-manuscripts-2/catesby-mark-the-most-famous-colorplate-book-of
“Cancer clieîis crafsifsimis.” Image from “The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, insects, and plants; particularly, those not hitherto described, or incorrectly figured by former authors, with their descriptions in English and French.” Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/fine-books-and-manuscripts-2/catesby-mark-the-most-famous-colorplate-book-of
“Live oak” (left) and the large red crested woodpecker (right).” Image from “The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, insects, and plants; particularly, those not hitherto described, or incorrectly figured by former authors, with their descriptions in English and French.” Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/fine-books-and-manuscripts-2/catesby-mark-the-most-famous-colorplate-book-of
“Ardea (heron)” and “Lobelia.” Image from “The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, insects, and plants; particularly, those not hitherto described, or incorrectly figured by former authors, with their descriptions in English and French.” Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/fine-books-and-manuscripts-2/catesby-mark-the-most-famous-colorplate-book-of

Exotic butterflies at mid century, the 19th century that is. Just as beautiful as they are now and I hope none of these are now extinct. Taken from W. C. Hewitson’s 1856 work “Illustrations of new species of exotic butterflies: selected chiefly from the collections of W. Wilson Saunders and William C. Hewitson.” All of these plates having been printed by Hullmandel & Walton.

“Papilionidae: ornithoptera and papilio: Ornithoptera Brookeana Wallace and Papilio idaeoides gray.” Page 14. W. C. Hewitson del et Lithograph 1855. Hullmandel & Walton, printers. Collections of and digitalized by the Smithsonian Libraries. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/46120#page/14/mode/1up
” Papilionidae: 3,4; Papilio dioxippus. 5; Papilio dioxippus. 6. Papilio Euryleon.” Page 18. W. C. Hewitson del et Lith 1855. Hullmandel & Walton, printer. Collections of and digitalized by the Smithsonian Libraries. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/46120#page/18/mode/1up
” Papilionidae: Papilio III; 7. Papilio Wallace; 8. Papilio Onesimus.” W. C. Hewitson del et Lith 1855. Hullmandel & Walton, printers. Collections of and digitalized by the Smithsonian Libraries. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/46120#page/22/mode/1up

Plates of Victorian birds, taken from George Robert Gray’s “The genera of birds : comprising their generic characters, a notice of the habits of each genus, and an extensive list of species referred to their several genera” which was issued in parts between 1844 and 1849. Illustrated by D. W. Mitchell and published in London.

“Gypaetinae: Gypaetus barbatus (Linn.)” Page 26, plate 1. Hullmandel and Walton, printers. Collections of and digitalized by the Smithsonian Libraries. In the public domain. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/123658#page/26/mode/1up
“Polyborinae: milvago chimango (Vielle).” Page 46, Plate 5. Hullmandel and Walton, printers. Collections of and digitalized by the Smithsonian Institution. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/123658#page/46/mode/1up
“Aquilinae: Circaetus holospilus (Vig.).” Page 60, Plate 7. Hullmandel and Walton, printers. Collections of and digitalized by the Smithsonian Institutions. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/123658#page/60/mode/1up
“Milvinae: Gamsonyx swainsonii (Vig,).” Page 80, Plate 9. Hullmandel and Walton, printers. Collections of and digitalized by the Smithsonian Institutions. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/123658#page/80/mode/1up

Botanical watercolors from the 18th century by watercolorist Georg Dionysius Ehret who was born in Germany but worked in Britain. Living from 1708 to 1770, he was a botanist and entomologist. All of these being taken from a current Sotheby’s auction catalogue.

“The South American ‘candle’ Cactus.” 18th c. German/British. Watercolor and bodycolor, heighted with gum arabic on vellum. Signed “G. D. Ehret, P.” on the lower right Inscribed “CEREUS; erectus altissimus / syrinamenssis. Par. Pat.” on the lower left. Image © 2021 Sothebyz. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/a-fine-line-master-works-on-paper-from-five-centuries/the-south-american-candle-cactus
“The Amaryllis.” 1761. German/British. Watercolor and bodycolor on vellum. Signed “G.D. Ehret. pinxit. 1761, AMARYLLIS Linn. / Lilic-Narcissus Scillae folus / flore niveo linea purpurea striato. Ehret / Tab.5.f2  on the lower right. Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/a-fine-line-master-works-on-paper-from-five-centuries/the-amaryllis
“The Passion Flower.” 18th c. German/British. Watercolor and bodycolor on watermarked laid paper. Inscribed ” Passiflora holosericea” on the lower left. Further inscribed ” Granadilla folio hastato holosericeo, petalis candicantibus fimbrus ex purpureo & luteo varus, Martin / Linn: Sp: Pl: 958” at the upper cfenter. Numbered 27 at the lower center. Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/a-fine-line-master-works-on-paper-from-five-centuries/the-passion-flower
The White Lily.” 18th c. German/British. Watercolor and bodycolor, heightened witih gum arabic on laid paper. Inscribed ” Prinum. americanum. / Lilio – Asphodelus Americanus, Semper-virens maximus, polyananthos albus / Com. Rar. Pl. i4. / Linn: Sp: Pl: 292” on the ;lower left. Numbered 7 at the lower center. Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/a-fine-line-master-works-on-paper-from-five-centuries/the-white-lily

Flower pictures, these from 1878. Illustrations taken from “Vick’s Flower and Vegetable Garden” Published by James Vick in Rochester, New York.

“Annuals.” Page 74. Collections of the Smithsonian Libraries. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/46834115?utm_medium=social_media&utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=Collections%20Highlight&utm_content=Smithsonian%20Libraries#page/74/mode/1up
“Perennials.” Page 120. Collections of the Smithsonian Libraries. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/46834115?utm_medium=social_media&utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=Collections%20Highlight&utm_content=Smithsonian%20Libraries#page/120/mode/1up
“Lillies.” Page 144. Collections of the Smithsonian Libraries. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/46834115?utm_medium=social_media&utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=Collections%20Highlight&utm_content=Smithsonian%20Libraries#page/144/mode/1up
“Hardy bulbs.” Page 154. Collections of the Smithsonian Libraries. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/46834115?utm_medium=social_media&utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=Collections%20Highlight&utm_content=Smithsonian%20Libraries#page/154/mode/1up

Images of birds with wonderful tails taken from “Monograph of the Phasianidae, or Family of the Pheasants,” published in 1872 by American zoologist Daniel Giraud Elliot. Lithographs after artwork by Joseph Wolf. Taken from a current Sotheby’s auction catalog.

“Phasianus Deccollatus.” Lithographed plate after Joseph Wolf. Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/travel-atlases-maps-and-natural-history/daniel-giraud-elliot-monograph-of-the-phasianidae?locale=en
“Euplocomus Praelatus.” Lithographed plate after Joseph Wolf. Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/travel-atlases-maps-and-natural-history/daniel-giraud-elliot-monograph-of-the-phasianidae?locale=en
“Ceriornis Temmincki.” Lithographed plate after Joseph Wolf. Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/travel-atlases-maps-and-natural-history/daniel-giraud-elliot-monograph-of-the-phasianidae?locale=en
“Ceriornis Blythii.” Lithographed plate after Joseph Wolf. Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/travel-atlases-maps-and-natural-history/daniel-giraud-elliot-monograph-of-the-phasianidae?locale=en

Art Nouveau iris, taken form Maurice Pillard’s “Etude de la plante: son application aux industries d’art: pochoir, papier peint, etoffes, céramique, marqueterie, tapis, ferronnerie, reliure, dentelles, broderies, vitrail, mosaïque, bijouterie, bronze, orfévrerie” which was printed in Paris in 1903 by the Librairie Centrale des Beaux-Arts.

“Iris Germanique, plan de la fleur.” Page 39/image 44. Collections of and digitalized by the Getty Research Institute. In the public domain due to age. via https://archive.org/details/gri_33125005959479/page/n44/mode/1up
“Iris Germanique.” Figure 37, page 44. Collections of and digitalized by the Getty Research Institute. In the public domain due to age. via https://archive.org/details/gri_33125005959479/page/n44/mode/1up
“Iris Germanique. Couronnement de grille en fer forgé.” Figure 39. Page 46. Collections of and digitalized by the Getty Research Institute. In the public domain due to age. via https://archive.org/details/gri_33125005959479/page/n46/mode/1up

Make your bathroom look like the South Seas wherever you are. Javanese flora, taken from the third edition of Madame Berthe Holla van Nooten’s 1880 work “Fleurs, fruits et feuillages choisies de l’Ile de Java peints d’après nature”. Printed in Brussels by Librairie Européenne C. Muquardt. Chromolithography by P. Depannemaeker.

“Caladium bicolor. vent. Tallas Sabrang.” Page 48. Collections of and digitalized by the Peter H. Raven Library, Missouri Botanical Garden. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/9710#page/48/mode/1up
“Stercula Nobilis. Smith. Hantap. Page 55. Collections of and digitalized by the Peter H. Raven Library, Missouri Botanical Garden. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/9710#page/56/mode/1up
“Otophora Alata. BL. Pisang Tjina.” Page 60, Collections of and digitalized by the Peter H. Raven Library, Missouri Botanical Garden. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/9710#page/60/mode/1up

More pretty Victorian lilies, lithographic plates from “A monograph of the genus Lilium.” Written by John Henry Elwes and illustrated by W. H. Fitch, it was published in London in 1877.

“Lilium Auratum, variation Wittel.” Page 43. Collections of and digitalized by the Missouri Botanical Garden. In the public domain due to age. via https://archive.org/details/mobot31753000795721/page/5/mode/1up
“Lilium Pyrenaicum (The Pyrenean lily).” Page 47. Collections of and digitalized by the Missouri Botanical Garden. In the public domain due to age. via https://archive.org/details/mobot31753000795721/page/n47/mode/1up
“Lilium Testaceum” (The Nankeen Lily). Page 7. Collections of and digitalized by the Missouri Botanical Garden. In the public domain due to age. via https://archive.org/details/mobot31753000795721/page/7/mode/1up