Botany
€ 140
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
The condition of this print is good, with vibrant colors and clear details that have been well-preserved over time. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
Blue-Flowered Aechmea Botanical Illustration by Louis van Houtte, 19th Century
This illustration features the Blue-Flowered Aechmea, scientifically known as Aechmea coelestis, a species recognized for its vibrant blue and yellow inflorescence.
The artwork was created between 1854 and 1855, measuring approximately 24 x 16 cm (9.5 x 6.5 inches). It is part of the celebrated botanical series Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe by Louis van Houtte, a distinguished 19th-century Belgian horticulturist. Van Houtte's work is renowned for its detailed and colorful illustrations of plants collected from various parts of the world.
The Aechmea coelestis is native to Central and South America, indicated by the label Amér mérid, meaning Southern America. The notation "serre chaude" suggests that this plant thrives in warm, tropical greenhouse conditions, similar to its natural environment.
The illustration uses lithography, a popular 19th-century printing method, with original hand coloring to capture the vibrant hues of the plant.
The condition of the print is excellent, preserving the vivid colors and intricate details of the plant's structure, demonstrating the craftsmanship and botanical knowledge of Louis van Houtte and his team.
