SPIRAEA ULMARIA
or Meadowsweet
Drawn and engraved for William Curtis in
"Flora Londinensis: Or Plates and Descriptions of Such Plants as Grow Wild in the Environs of London."
Published London 1777
This is a fine, good sized, hand coloured 18th century copper engraving from this major botanical work by William Curtis.
Curtis began with the wild plants from the immediate vicinity of London and intended to expand the work to include species within 10 miles of the city and ultimately to those indigenous to the entire British Isles.
His vision was curtailed however by a lack of sales and the project was never completed.
These fine delicate engravings are widely collected and have been described as the most successful portrayals of British wild flowers that have ever been achieved.
The plants are engraved to a uniform scale and displayed to life size with accurate colouring which remains bright and fresh.
Accompanying the print are notes which provide the botanical detail to assist in the identification of the species.
Fine condition other than insignificant age related blemishes, free of repairs or restoration, perfect for framing and display.
Approx. 18.5" x 11" (470mm x 280mm) overall.
Printed on robust hand laid paper, no folds, blank verso.
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William Curtis (1746-99) was Director of the Society of Apothecaries at the Chelsea Physic Garden and a botanist with a broad knowledge of exotic species. Following Flora Londinensis he went on to publish The Botanical Magazine which continued for over 160 years. The Botanical Magazine, with its showy exotic species brought Curtis the financial success that Flora Londinensis with its common wayside British plants never achieved. Over 200 years later however his definitive achievement is fully appreciated by today's discerning eye.
A GENUINE ANTIQUE PRINT GUARANTEED OVER 245 YEARS OLD FROM LINDISFARNE PRINTS
NDPB522
