Botany · 20th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Excellent condition with sharp plate impressions and bright original hand-coloring. Sheets with full margins and minor, even age toning. Plate marks clearly visible.
This delicate set of three hand-colored botanical engravings from 1902 beautifully depicts Saxifraga hirta var. affinis (Irish Mossy Saxifrage), Saxifraga eu-hypnoides var. platypetala, and Saxifraga eu-hypnoides var. gemmifera (Mossy Saxifrage varieties). These finely detailed illustrations celebrate the intricate textures and alpine grace of these hardy rock-garden species, thriving in mountain crevices and shaded stone habitats across Europe.
The first engraving, Saxifraga hirta var. affinis, presents a compact, tufted form with dark green, needle-like leaves arranged in dense rosettes, from which rise short stems bearing small white flowers veined in pale green. The artist captures the moss-like foliage with remarkable accuracy, highlighting the plant’s name origin from the Latin “saxum,” meaning rock, and “frangere,” meaning to break—referring to its natural growth among stones. The second plate, Saxifraga eu-hypnoides var. platypetala, depicts a more elongated and graceful variety, with divided leaves and pale yellowish-white flowers poised on slender stems. The third engraving, Saxifraga eu-hypnoides var. gemmifera, features the gemmiferous form—so named for its tiny vegetative buds that allow the plant to reproduce asexually. The fine hand-coloring captures its delicate rosette base and fragile upright blossoms, symbolizing the quiet resilience of alpine flora.
Together, these engravings offer an exquisite study in botanical diversity and Victorian precision. The restrained composition and finely washed color application reflect the high standards of natural history illustration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where art and science merged harmoniously.
Condition report: Excellent condition with sharp plate impressions and bright original hand-coloring. Sheets with full margins and minor, even age toning. Plate marks clearly visible.
Framing tips: A refined trio for nature lovers or collectors of alpine flora. Best displayed in natural oak or dark mahogany frames with ivory or pale sage mounts, enhancing the subtle greens and whites of the compositions.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Maker: British, published London, 1902
