Other Prints · 20th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Excellent for age. Minimal foxing and light age toning confined to the margins. Strong impressions with visible plate marks and generous borders.
This graceful botanical trio from 1902 showcases three finely hand-colored engravings representing different families of British wildflowers, each notable for its unique color, form, and habitat. The plates depict Œnothera odorata (Sweet-scented Evening-Primrose), Ludwigia palustris (Marsh Isnardia), and Circea lutetiana (Common Enchanter’s-Nightshade). Together, they create a beautiful and diverse portrait of species found across meadows, wetlands, and shaded woodland areas.
The Sweet-scented Evening-Primrose is elegantly drawn with large golden-yellow blossoms that open at twilight, radiating warmth and gentle fragrance. Its tall green stems and elongated buds are accompanied by precise botanical dissections that reveal the structure of its flower and seed. The central plate, Marsh Isnardia, presents a creeping aquatic plant with rounded green leaves and small, subtle flowers, depicted in careful detail with its seed capsules shown in cross-section. The final plate, Common Enchanter’s-Nightshade, is an especially delicate rendering, with a tall, branching stem adorned with tiny pink-lilac flowers and finely shaped leaves—an enchanting woodland species long associated with folklore and mystery.
The engravings combine scientific precision with artistic refinement, characteristic of early 20th-century English botanical illustration. The gentle hand coloring retains its vibrancy, while the cream-toned paper enhances the natural warmth and depth of the images. Each plate includes floral dissections and seed details below the main composition, underscoring the educational and decorative value of the series.
Condition report: Excellent for age. Minimal foxing and light age toning confined to the margins. Strong impressions with visible plate marks and generous borders.
Framing tips: For an elegant display, frame this trio in gold or natural oak frames with off-white or pale yellow mounts to accentuate the soft tones of the flowers. When hung together, the vivid primrose yellow, rich green of the marsh plant, and pale pink nightshade form a balanced and visually pleasing composition—ideal for botanical or nature-inspired interiors.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Maker: British, published London, 1902
