Botanical Hand-Colored Copperplate Engraving of Heart-Leaved Lychnidea and Streptanthera Cuprea by Edward Dalton Smith

Details

Description

Botanical Brilliance: Edward Dalton Smith’s Copperplate Engravings
1829

This exquisite pair of hand-colored copperplate engravings represents the precision and artistry … Read more Botanical Brilliance: Edward Dalton Smith’s Copperplate Engravings
1829

This exquisite pair of hand-colored copperplate engravings represents the precision and artistry of the celebrated botanical illustrator Edward Dalton Smith. The prints depict two distinct floral specimens: Phlox cordata (Heart-leaved Lychnidea) and Streptanthera cuprea, commonly known as the Copper-colored Streptanthera. Each engraving portrays the flower in full bloom, accompanied at the base by detailed profiles of the bulbs and stems, which correspond to the descriptive text mounted on the reverse side of each frame. Smith’s work is characterized by a masterly blend of scientific accuracy and aesthetic beauty, capturing the delicate textures of petals and the intricate structures of botanical life.

Dimensions
17 inches (43.18 cm) High
13 1/2 inches (34.29 cm) Wide
3/4 inch (1.91 cm) Deep

Condition Report
The pair of prints is in excellent condition, protected by Conservation Museum Glass to ensure long-term preservation and reduced glare. They are elegantly presented in French mattes and housed within reeded giltwood frames.

Provenance
Designed by Edward Dalton Smith, early 19th century.
Private Pennsylvania Collection.

Historical Context

Edward Dalton Smith was a prolific botanical artist whose work was frequently featured in major 19th-century horticultural publications, such as Robert Sweet’s The Florist's Guide and Cultivator's Directory. During this period, botanical engravings served both as scientific records and as high-status decorative objects for the growing middle and upper classes. These specific prints highlight the era’s fascination with "specimen-style" illustration, where a single plant is isolated to showcase its unique characteristics. The inclusion of the original descriptive text on the reverse side further emphasizes the quasi-educational and archival nature of these works. The use of copperplate engraving allowed for incredibly fine lines, which, when hand-colored with vibrant enamels or watercolors, created a lifelike and enduring representation of nature.

(Ref: NY11106-carx) See less