Skip to main content

James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

English, 1757-1822

James Sowerby (21 March 1757 – 25 October 1822) was an English naturalist, illustrator and mineralogist. Contributions to published works, such as "A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland" or "English Botany", include his detailed and appealing plates. The use of vivid colour and accessible texts were intended to reach a widening audience in works of natural history. The standard author abbreviation Sowerby is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name.

(Biography provided by Graves International Art)

to
2
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
7
1,350
969
773
757
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
Artist: James Sowerby
Glaucium Violaccum (Violet Horned-Poppy) /// James Sowerby Botanical Flower Art
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: James Sowerby (English, 1757-1822) Title: "Glaucium Violaccum (Violet Horned-Poppy)" (Vol. 3, Plate 201) Portfolio: English Botany; or, Coloured Figures of British Plants Year: 1794 (First edition) Medium: Original Hand-Colored Engraving on cream wove paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: J. Davis...
Category

1790s Victorian James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving, Intaglio

Glaucium Phoenicium (Red Horned-Poppy) /// James Sowerby Botanical Flower Plant
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: James Sowerby (English, 1757-1822) Title: "Glaucium Phoenicium (Red Horned-Poppy)" (Vol. 7, Plate 1433) Portfolio: English Botany; or, Coloured Figures of British Plants Year...
Category

Early 1800s Victorian James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving, Intaglio

Related Items
Tree with moth, caterpillar..., Plate 39, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 39; Unidentified tree with moth, caterpillar and pupa. The Netherlands: 1705....
Category

Early 18th Century Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

Pineapple with foliage.
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in London, GB
[MERIAN, Maria Sibyl]. Pineapple with foliage. The Hague, Gosse, 1719. Engraving of a Pineapple with foliage by J. Mulder, P. Sluyter and D. Stoopendaal after Merian, with later hand-colour, from Dissertatio de Generatione et Metamorphasibus Insectorum Surinamensium. Framed and glazed, overall dimensions: 40cm by 53.2cm by 4.5cm. Superb engravings which depict the metamorphoses of South American insects and the exotic plants on which they feed. Maria Sybilla, daughter of the German engraver and publisher Matthias Merian, devoted herself to the study of European insects and their metamorphoses. As a result of the wealth of tropical varieties being brought back by the Dutch West Indies Company...
Category

1710s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Handmade Paper, Watercolor, Engraving

Pineapple with foliage.
Pineapple with foliage.
H 20.95 in W 15.04 in D 1.78 in
Bonsaist
By Yuji Hiratsuka
Located in Palm Springs, CA
portrait of a young woman admiring her small bonsai tree. Intaglio with Chine Colle print signed, titled and numbered by the artist While the images have some resemblance to traditi...
Category

2010s Contemporary James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching, Aquatint, Intaglio

Thistle and Moths, plate no. 6, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 6; Thistle and Moths. The Netherlands: 1705. Engraving with hand coloring in w...
Category

Early 18th Century Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

Panicum sanguinale, from "Flora Londinensis..."
By William Curtis
Located in Houston, TX
Antique hand colored engraving of grass or Panicum Sanguinale by W.Curtis, circa 1820. Artwork was intended to be actual size of specimen. Original artwork on paper displayed on a w...
Category

1820s James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor, Archival Paper

3 plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars & their Strange Diet..
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Three plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: XLVIII; XLIX & L. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...
Category

Early 18th Century Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

Dark Flora Autumn Weald in Floral arrangement of wild flowers and plants, Framed
Located in London, GB
Dark Flora #4 - Autumn Weald: An arrangement of cloth of gold, pine, beech, and bracken surrounding a nest of exquisite blue eggs. Archival Pigment Print, Mounted on Aluminium, in bespoke Oak Framed, Edition 3/8 Print size: 75 x 54 cm Framed: 80 x 60 cm approx. Inspired by Victorian era taxidermy dioramas...
Category

2010s Victorian James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Archival Pigment, Glass, Wood, Oak, Photographic Paper, Color

Cocoa plant, caterpillar, ..., Plate 26, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 26; Cocoa plant, caterpillar, pupa, and butterflies. The Netherlands: 1705. En...
Category

Early 18th Century Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

4 plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars & their Strange Diet..
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Four plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With one 1.5 inch inch tear across the area of the top-left corner, well outside of image area. Handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: CXXI, CXXII, CXXIII, & CXXIV. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...
Category

Early 18th Century Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

Lulú
By Liliana Porter
Located in Mexico City, MX
Artist's statement: In the last years, parallel to photography and video, I have been making works on canvas, prints, drawings, collages, and small installations. Many of these piece...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Photogravure

Lulú
H 22.64 in W 30.71 in
Icecream Bean plant..., plate no. 58, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 58; Ice Cream Bean Plant, Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly and Caterpillar with Mot...
Category

Early 18th Century Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

4 plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars & their Strange Diet..
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Four plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: LIV, LV, LVI, & LVII. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...
Category

Early 18th Century Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

Previously Available Items
Fritillaria Meleagris (Snake's Head Fritillary)
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original hand-colored copper plate engraving on wove paper by English artist James Sowerby (1757-1822) titled "Fritillaria Meleagris (Snake's Head Fritillary)", 1799. Printed and ...
Category

1790s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Copper

Aquilegia Vulgaris (Common Columbine) /// Botanical Botany James Sowerby Flower
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: James Sowerby (English, 1757-1822) Title: "Aquilegia Vulgaris (Common Columbine)" (Plate 297) Portfolio: English Botany Year: 1796 Medium: Original Hand-Colored Engraving on ...
Category

1790s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving, Intaglio

Narcifsus Pseudo-Narcifsus (Wild Daffodil) /// Botanical Botany James Sowerby
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: James Sowerby (English, 1757-1822) Title: "Narcifsus Pseudo-Narcifsus (Wild Daffodil)" (Plate 17) Portfolio: English Botany Year: 1794 Medium: Original Hand-Colored Engraving...
Category

1790s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving, Intaglio

Tulipa Sylvestris (Wild Tulip)
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original hand-colored copper plate engraving on wove paper by English artist James Sowerby (1757-1822) titled "Tulipa Sylvestris (Wild Tulip)", 1793. Printed and published by the ...
Category

1790s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

Rosa Tomentosa (Harsh Downy-rose) /// Botanical Botany James Sowerby Flower Art
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: James Sowerby (English, 1757-1822) Title: "Rosa Tomentosa (Harsh Downy-rose)" (Plate 990) Portfolio: English Botany Year: 1802 Medium: Original Hand-Colored Engraving on wove paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: J. Davis, Richard and Arthur Taylor, London, UK Publisher: James Sowerby, London, UK Reference: Henrey No. 1366-1368; Hunt No. 717; Nissen BBI No. 2225-2226; Pritzel No. 8789-8791; Stafleu and Cowan No. 12221 Framing: Recently framed in a gold gilded, fluted moulding with 100% cotton rag matting from Holland. All archival Framed size: 14.75" x 12" Image size: 7.13" x 4.25" Condition: In excellent condition Notes: Comes from Sowerby's monumental thirty-seven volume, bound in thirty-six, portfolio "English Botany" or "Coloured Figures of British Plants" (1790-1814), which consists of 2,592 hand-colored engravings. Rosa tomentosa, otherwise known as the harsh downy-rose, is a species of plant in the family Rosaceae. It is native to the British Isles, where it is commonest in Wales and west and south-east England. It typically flowers between June and July and can be found in hedgerows and woodland margins. Biography: James Sowerby (21 March 1757-25 October 1822) was an English naturalist, illustrator and mineralogist. Contributions to published works, such as A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland...
Category

Early 1800s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving, Intaglio

Rosa rubiginosa (Sweetbriar Rose)
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original hand-colored copper plate engraving by English artist James Sowerby (1757-1822) titled "Rosa rubiginosa (Sweetbriar Rose)", c. 1812. Printed and published by the artist i...
Category

1810s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

Ranunculus Lingua (Greater Spearwort) /// Botanical Botany James Sowerby Flower
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: James Sowerby (English, 1757-1822) Title: "Ranunculus Lingua (Greater Spearwort)" (Plate 100) Portfolio: English Botany Year: 1793 Medium: Original Hand-Colored Engraving on ...
Category

Early 1800s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving, Intaglio

Rosa canina (Dog-rose)
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original hand-colored copper plate engraving by English artist James Sowerby (1757-1822) titled "Rosa canina (Dog-rose)", 1802. Printed and published by the artist in London, UK i...
Category

Early 1800s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

Paeonia Corallina (Peony)
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original hand colored copper plate engraving by English artist James Sowerby (1757-1822) titled "Paeonia Corallina (Peony)", 1805. Published by James Sowerby in London in 1805. Be...
Category

Early 1800s Victorian James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Copper

Wild Rose
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original hand colored copper plate engraving by English artist James Sowerby (1757-1822) titled "Wild Rose", 1813. Beautifully framed with matti...
Category

Early 19th Century Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Copper

Yellow Water Lily
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original copper plate engraving by English artist James Sowerby (1757-1822) titled "Yellow Water Lily", c. 1799. This work was hand colored by Sowerby. This work is beautifully ma...
Category

18th Century and Earlier Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Copper

Purple Bellflower
By James Sowerby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original hand-colored copper plate engraving on 100% cotton rag paper by English artist James Soweby (1757-1822) titled "Purple Bellflower", 1802. This work was hand colored by So...
Category

Early 1800s Naturalistic James Sowerby Prints and Multiples

Materials

Copper

James Sowerby prints and multiples for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic James Sowerby prints and multiples available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by James Sowerby in engraving, paint, watercolor and more. Not every interior allows for large James Sowerby prints and multiples, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Pierre-Joseph Redouté, Jean Baptiste Francois Buillard, and Jean Louis Prévost. James Sowerby prints and multiples prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $250, while the average work can sell for $250.

Recently Viewed

View All