Antique Hand Colored Botanical Engravings, a Pair, Framed

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Description

This pair of framed botanical prints showcases delicate floral illustrations with fine detail and a soft, vintage aesthetic. The artworks … Read more This pair of framed botanical prints showcases delicate floral illustrations with fine detail and a soft, vintage aesthetic. The artworks are antique botanical engravings, likely hand-colored, with one signed “Blanchard del” and the other “Marder sc.” – indicating the artist and engraver, respectively. These kinds of collaborations were common in 19th-century botanical illustration.

Each piece is matted in a striking red that adds rich contrast and a sense of drama, while the sleek, polished silver-tone frames give the pair a modern edge. The contrast between the traditional botanical art and the bold, contemporary presentation makes this duo a unique blend of classic and modern styles—perfect for a refined but eclectic interior.

From what I can see, these prints are most likely 19th-century botanical engravings, possibly from a European source—most likely French or English. Here’s a breakdown of clues that help narrow it down:

1. Artist and Engraver Signatures
• “Blanchard del” — “del” is an abbreviation for delineavit, Latin for “he/she drew it.” Blanchard is the artist.
• “Marder sc” — “sc” is short for sculpsit, meaning “he/she engraved it.” Marder is the engraver.

This kind of notation was standard in scientific illustrations in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in France and England.

2. Style & Subject
• The prints show Pelargoniums (commonly called geraniums), which were incredibly popular in botanical journals during the Victorian era.
• The rendering style—delicate lines, cross-hatching in the leaves, and subtle hand coloring—is consistent with botanical plates from publications like Curtis’s Botanical Magazine (UK) or early French horticultural journals like Flore Médicale or Jardin des plants See less