Van Houtte, Scarlet Sophronitis and Tropical Bloom, 1845, Prints, Set of 2

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The prints are from Louis Van Houtte's and Charles Lemaire's "Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe," a detailed … Read more The prints are from Louis Van Houtte's and Charles Lemaire's "Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe," a detailed collection of botanical lithographs showcasing plants grown in Van Houtte's nurseries.

1. First Print: - Latin Name: Sophronitis coccinea - Location: Rio de Janeiro - Cultivation Note: "Serre chaude" (Warm greenhouse) - Description: This orchid, known as the Scarlet Sophronitis, is celebrated for its striking, bright red flowers. Native to Brazil, particularly the cool mountains near Rio de Janeiro, it is a compact plant often grown in warm greenhouses due to its requirement for a controlled environment.

2. Second Print: - Latin Name: Dircaea Blassii - Location: "Amér. trop." (Tropical America) - Cultivation Note: "Serre tempérée" (Temperate greenhouse) - Description: This print likely depicts a species in the genus *Dircaea*, possibly an artistic interpretation or an error in naming, as no specific *Dircaea Blassii* is formally recognized. It shows a unique flower arrangement with tubular, red blooms radiating in a circle, typical of plants from temperate parts of tropical America, grown under temperate greenhouse conditions.

Both prints highlight the aesthetic and botanical characteristics that made them desirable for cultivation and collection during the 19th century, showcasing Van Houtte's role in popularizing exotic plants in European horticulture. The quality of the lithography and the detailed coloring illustrate why these works were both practical for gardeners and cherished by collectors. See less