Botanical Chromolithographs from: William Robinson's Flora & Sylva

Giclee print in colours with screenprint varnish, 2011, on Somerset 330gsm paper, signed in pencil, inscribed ‘A/P’ within the artist’s blindstamp (an artist’s proof aside from the e...

An 18th century Italian bureau with beautiful inlay detailing and a fall front that opens to form a writing surface with fitted interior, consisting of six drawers. Four long drawers...

A lovely George III satinwood Pembroke table, the shaped drop leaf top with elegant crossbanding above a single end drawer with a dummy drawer on the opposing side, raised on gently ...

A pair of Arts and Crafts inlaid mahogany corner chairs, with floral design inlay to the backs and recently upholstered seat bases, in very good...

The following six chromolithographs are part of a collection published in 1896, created by Désiré Bois and Edward Step. They illustrate botanical subjects with remarkable attention t...

Late 19th century finely detailed. Hand detailed botanical lithographs. Newly framed and matted. Silver leaf frame. Linen matte. 34 left.

These beautiful hand-colored botanical illustrations, drawn and lithographed by the renowned artist Walter Hood Fitch, were featured in Sir William Jackson Hooker's *"Curtis's Botanical Magazine,"* published in London in 1847. Fitch was one of the most prolific and skilled botanical illustrators of the 19th century, known for his ability to capture the intricate details and vibrant hues of the plants he depicted. Sir William Jackson Hooker, a famous British botanist and the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, commissioned these illustrations as part of his work to document newly discovered plants from around the world. The *Curtis’s Botanical Magazine* has been published since 1787 and remains one of the longest-running botanical periodicals. Detailed Descriptions of Each Plant #### 1. **Dipladenia Rosa-campestris** (*Hortul. ex Veitch*) - **English Name**: Rose Dipladenia - **Description**: This illustration showcases *Dipladenia rosa-campestris*, a striking flowering plant known for its showy pink to deep red trumpet-shaped flowers. Native to tropical regions of South America, particularly Brazil, *Dipladenia* belongs to the family Apocynaceae and is prized in horticulture for its vibrant blooms and ability to climb. Fitch's illustration emphasizes the waxy leaves and the vivid color of the petals, bringing the plant to life on the page. #### 2. **Begonia fuchsioides** (*Hook.*) - **English Name**: Fuchsia-flowered Begonia - **Description**: The *Begonia fuchsioides* is depicted with its characteristic red, pendulous flowers, which closely resemble the blooms of fuchsia plants. This species of Begonia is native to tropical regions and is popular for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers and glossy leaves. Fitch’s attention to the arrangement of the leaves and the contrast between the flowers' vibrant red and the soft green leaves provides a lifelike representation of this exotic plant. #### 3. **Agalmyla staminea** (*Blume*) - **English Name**: Staminate Agalmyla - **Description**: This illustration captures the unique red tubular flowers of *Agalmyla staminea*, a plant native to Southeast Asia. The species is part of the Gesneriaceae family and is known for its bright, showy flowers that grow in dense clusters. Fitch’s careful rendering of the plant’s leaves and the intricate veining, along with the vibrant red flowers, highlights his talent for bringing the botanical subject to life with both scientific accuracy and artistic flair. ### About the Makers #### **Walter Hood Fitch** (Artist and Lithographer) Walter Hood Fitch (1817–1892) was one of the most influential botanical artists of the 19th century, working primarily with Sir William Hooker and later his son, Joseph Dalton Hooker, at Kew Gardens. He produced thousands of illustrations for various botanical publications, including *Curtis’s Botanical Magazine*, where he was responsible for the majority of its plates from 1834 to 1877. Fitch’s mastery of lithography allowed him to create richly detailed and accurate depictions of plants, with a particular talent for illustrating both the botanical structure and the vibrant colors of flowers. #### **Sir William Jackson Hooker** (Director and Editor) Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785–1865) was a prominent British botanist and the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Under his leadership, Kew Gardens expanded its collection of plants from around the world, and Hooker was instrumental in promoting the scientific study and illustration of these species. As the editor of *Curtis’s Botanical Magazine*, Hooker collaborated with Fitch to document and share the beauty and diversity of plants with the scientific community and the public. ### The Lithographic Technique Lithography, particularly chromolithography, was a crucial innovation in botanical illustration. Fitch was skilled in the traditional method of lithography, where an image was drawn onto a stone plate with a greasy substance and then inked for printing. Hand-coloring was often applied afterward to bring the prints to life, as seen in these illustrations. This method allowed for highly detailed, accurate representations of plants and their botanical features, making it invaluable for both scientific study and aesthetic appreciation. ### Conclusion These prints from *Curtis’s Botanical Magazine* reflect the height of botanical art in the mid-19th century. The combination of Walter Fitch...

Late 19th century botanical chromolithograph print in gilt frame, Odontoglossum Crispum. From an illustration by B. Herincq. Document taped en verso: "Favourite Flowers of Garden And...