Botany
€ 140
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Colors are vivid, brownish around the edge, lower border cut short. Please study scan carefully.
The plant depicted in the print on offer is Azalea mollis 'Glabrior', a variety of the Rhododendron species. Its common English name is the Smooth Azalea. This particular variety is noted for its lush, vivid orange flowers that can sometimes sport a reddish tint, making it a striking addition to any garden.
Description and Special Characteristics:
- Botanical Name: Azalea mollis 'Glabrior' Regel var.
- Origin: Native to Japan, this azalea is renowned for its robust growth and the spectacular display of large, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in magnificent clusters. The leaves are deciduous, dropping in the winter but providing a lush green backdrop during the flowering season.
- Flower Description: The flowers are particularly noteworthy for their size, vivid color, and the delicate patterning of freckles on the petals, which draw pollinators and admirers alike.
The Smooth Azalea is celebrated not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its adaptability in temperate climates, making it a favorite among gardeners for both private gardens and public displays. The plant's ability to produce an abundance of flowers each spring, coupled with its relatively easy care, ensures its popularity in horticultural circles. Its vibrant color and full blossoms are often associated with the spring renewal, symbolizing peace and rejuvenation, which makes it a popular choice for many cultural and celebratory landscapes.
Context of the Botanical Print:
This beautiful botanical illustration comes from Louis Van Houtte's *Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe*, a work published between 1845 and 1883. Van Houtte, a premier horticulturist and nursery owner, featured plants like this Azalea in his catalog, which also functioned as an elaborate display of the most desirable plant species of the time. Orchids, roses, camellias, and other exotic plants were also highlighted, reflecting the Victorian era's fascination with botanical collections and the lush, vivid portrayal that chromolithography enabled.
This print not only serves as a historical document of horticultural interests and trends of the 19th century but also as a piece of art that captures the beauty and diversity of garden plants cultivated during Van Houtte's time. The condition of the print, as described, with minor marks typical for its age, suggests that it has been well-preserved, making it a valuable piece for collectors and enthusiasts of botanical art.
The botanical print of Azalea mollis 'Glabrior' comes from Louis Van Houtte's work, Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe, which was published over a span from 1845 to 1883. Given the style and the advanced chromolithography used in the print, it is likely from the latter part of this period. Therefore, a rough estimate would place the publication of this specific print towards the late 1870s or early 1880s. This timeframe would be consistent with the technological advancements and aesthetic styles represented in the print.
The technique used for the botanical print of Azalea mollis 'Glabrior' is chromolithography. This method was a revolutionary form of color printing from the 19th century that allowed for vibrant, multi-color illustrations. Chromolithography involves using multiple lithographic stones, each inked with a different color, to produce the final print. Each color requires a separate stone, and the meticulous alignment of these stones was crucial for achieving the detailed and vivid results characteristic of Louis Van Houtte's botanical illustrations. This technique allowed for high-quality, artistically appealing reproductions of original botanical artwork, making it highly popular for the illustration of prestigious works like *Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe*.
