Van Houtte, Flora Illustrated, 1875, Prints, Set of 4

Details

Description

The prints depict various botanical species, each illustrated with detailed attention to the morphology of the plants, including leaves, flowers, … Read more The prints depict various botanical species, each illustrated with detailed attention to the morphology of the plants, including leaves, flowers, and sometimes fruits or seeds. These illustrations are typical of botanical artwork used for scientific documentation and plant identification, commonly produced during the 18th and 19th centuries. Here is a brief of each plant shown in the provided images: 1. Philodendron Erubescens: Known commonly as the Blushing Philodendron, this plant is characterized by its climbing habit and dark green, shiny leaves with a red underside. It is popular as an ornamental houseplant in many parts of the world. 2. Blandfordia Flammea: Commonly referred to as the Christmas Bells or Flame Bells due to its bell-shaped, vibrant red and yellow flowers. This plant is native to Australia and blooms around the Christmas season, making it particularly noteworthy. 3. Obeliscaria Pulcherrima: This plant, possibly a fictional or misidentified species (as the name doesn't correspond to known botanical records), is depicted with striking red and yellow flowers, resembling a coneflower or a rudbeckia. 4. Stifftia Chrysantha: Known as the Golden Fleece, this plant features large, spherical flowers composed of numerous long, slender, yellow-orange florets emanating from a central cone. It is native to Brazil and is often grown for its ornamental value. About the maker: Louis van Houtte was a prominent Belgian horticulturist and botanist renowned for his significant contributions to botanical illustration during the 19th century. Born in 1810, van Houtte is best known for his work as the proprietor of one of the largest and most successful horticultural establishments in Europe, located in Ghent, Belgium. His nursery specialized in exotic plants, and he employed numerous skilled gardeners and botanists. Van Houtte's most famous legacy is perhaps the "Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe," a monumental work published between 1845 and 1883. This publication was an extensive series of horticultural and botanical books that illustrated thousands of plant species, many of which were new to science and European gardens at the time. The work combined scientific accuracy with artistic beauty, showcasing the talents of several gifted artists and lithographers. The illustrations in "Flore des Serres" were primarily lithographs, a method that allowed for detailed and vibrant color reproductions, which were essential for the study and popularization of plant species. These prints not only served as a catalog of exotic plants available for purchase from his nursery but also as an educational tool and a source of inspiration for gardeners and botanists across Europe. Van Houtte's contributions to botanical art and horticulture were driven by a passion for plants and an entrepreneurial spirit that recognized the growing public interest in botany. His work helped disseminate botanical knowledge and influenced European garden design in the Victorian era. The creator of these prints, often a collaboration between botanists and skilled artists, aimed to capture the intricate details of each plant for purposes of study and record-keeping. The style of these prints suggests they could have been made by European illustrators and botanists, possibly as part of a larger botanical survey or for inclusion in a comprehensive botanical text. The high level of detail and the vivid coloring techniques are indicative of the lithographic processes that were popular in botanical illustration during the 19th century, used to ensure that both the scientific community and horticultural enthusiasts could share knowledge and appreciation of plant species from around the world. See less