Two Stems with Red Flowers – Botanical Watercolor by A.L., 1819

€ 895

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1819
Mapmaker / artist: A.L., unidentified artist. The work is monogrammed “A.L.” on the left stem
Publisher: European, probably British or Continental European
Sheet size: 31.6 × 13.4 cm (12.4 × 5.3 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14338

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Wear consistent with age and use. Very good antique condition. The watercolor retains attractive and strong colors. Some light age-related toning and occasional minor foxing are present.

About this sheet

A refined original botanical watercolor depicting two slender stems bearing vivid red flowers and delicately rendered green leaves, painted in 1819 by an unidentified artist with the initials A.L.

The composition is elegant and restrained, with the flowering stems isolated against the natural cream-colored paper. The artist has carefully observed the structure of the plant, combining botanical precision with the decorative quality characteristic of early 19th-century flower studies.

The work is monogrammed “A.L.” on the left stem and dated “1819” on the right.

Particularly noteworthy is the paper itself, which bears the watermark “J. Whatman 1817.” James Whatman's celebrated English papers were highly regarded by artists and printmakers for their quality and durability. The watermark dates the manufacture of the paper to 1817, while the artist's inscription dates the execution of the watercolor to 1819.

The two dates therefore provide an unusually clear chronology: the Whatman sheet was manufactured in 1817 and used by the artist for this botanical watercolor two years later, in 1819.

An attractive and unusually well-documented original botanical artwork from the Regency period.

MEDIUM: Original watercolor on paper

PAPER: J. Whatman paper, watermarked 1817

PERIOD / STYLE:
Regency period
Early 19th century
Botanical / Natural History

SUBJECT:
Two stems with red flowers
Botanical study
Flower study

DIMENSIONS:
Image: approximately 29 × 16.5 cm
Sheet: approximately 46 × 32.5 cm

MARKS:
Monogrammed “A.L.” on the left stem.

Dated “1819” on the right.

Paper watermarked “J. Whatman 1817.”

Very good antique condition. The watercolor retains attractive and strong colors. Some light age-related toning and occasional minor foxing are present. A subtle former light line is visible, consistent with previous presentation beneath a passe-partout. The sheet was attached beneath a passe-partout along the upper edge.

FRAMING:
Offered unframed. Any framed or interior photographs shown are for presentation and inspiration only.

AUTHENTICITY:
An original, unique hand-painted watercolor dating from 1819. This is not a print, engraving or modern reproduction.