Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Double Flowering Camellia: Hand-Colored Lithograph from Louis van Houtte, 1855

$227.73
$284.6720% Off
£169.79
£212.2320% Off
€192
€24020% Off
CA$312.76
CA$390.9520% Off
A$350.04
A$437.5520% Off
CHF 182.77
CHF 228.4720% Off
MX$4,270.49
MX$5,338.1220% Off
NOK 2,320.09
NOK 2,900.1120% Off
SEK 2,201.62
SEK 2,752.0320% Off
DKK 1,462.44
DKK 1,828.0520% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This is a beautiful hand-colored lithograph from the collection, *Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe* by Louis van Houtte, published between 1854 and 1855. The featured plant here is *Camellia reticulata flore pleno*, commonly known in English as the Reticulated Camellia or Double Flowering Camellia. The Camellia is native to China, where it has been highly valued for its ornamental beauty. This lithograph, with its vivid depiction of a double-petaled pink blossom and glossy green leaves, highlights the elegant symmetry and rich color of this sought-after flower. Camellias were often introduced into European horticulture as prized additions to gardens and conservatories during the 19th century, celebrated for their lush, rose-like flowers and evergreen foliage. The hand coloring brings out the delicate shading and textures of the petals, emphasizing the botanical accuracy and aesthetic appeal that was characteristic of Van Houtte’s works. This print has a central fold, as it was originally bound in the large-format volumes of *Flore des Serres*. Despite the fold, it remains a well-preserved and vibrant example of 19th-century botanical art. This piece captures the Victorian era's fascination with exotic flora, both for its scientific documentation and for the ornamental allure of plants like the Camellia, which became iconic symbols in European gardens. Louis van Houtte (1810–1876) was a significant 19th-century Belgian horticulturist and nurseryman, playing a pivotal role in the advancement of botanical gardens and plant collecting throughout Europe. His nursery and botanical publications left a lasting impact on the world of horticulture. Van Houtte began his professional life working in commerce, but after spending time in Brazil and France, he shifted his focus to horticulture. His experiences abroad, especially in Brazil, ignited his passion for exotic plants, which became central to his work. In 1839, he established a horticultural nursery in Ghent, Belgium, which eventually grew to be the largest in Europe. The nursery spanned several acres and specialized in growing and distributing rare and exotic plants. Van Houtte’s vast knowledge of plants, combined with his ability to source them from around the globe, made his nursery a key destination for botanists and collectors. Van Houtte is most famous for founding and publishing *Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe* (Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe), a celebrated horticultural journal that was published from 1845 to 1883. The publication was known for its beautifully hand-colored lithographs, which featured a wide variety of plants. To achieve this, Van Houtte collaborated with talented botanical artists such as Pieter de Pannemaeker and François Stroobant, producing detailed and vibrant illustrations that were highly regarded for their accuracy and beauty. In order to expand his collection of plants, Van Houtte employed plant collectors who traveled to far-flung regions, including South America, Asia, and Africa. These collectors brought back many exotic species, such as orchids, palms, and other rare flowering plants, which were then documented and illustrated in *Flore des Serres*. Van Houtte’s nursery became a central hub for introducing and popularizing new plant species in Europe, contributing to the widespread cultivation of exotic plants in gardens and conservatories. His work greatly influenced the ornamental horticulture movement of the Victorian era, particularly among Europe’s upper class, who were fascinated by the beauty and rarity of these exotic species. In addition to his horticultural pursuits, Van Houtte also played a role in civic affairs. He served as the director of the Ghent Botanic Garden and held key positions within various Belgian horticultural societies. His expertise and contributions earned him significant recognition, and he became a leading figure in the horticultural community of his time. After his death in 1876, Van Houtte’s legacy endured through his nursery and the continued appreciation of *Flore des Serres*. His contribution to the introduction and documentation of exotic plants has left a lasting mark on horticulture, and his work continues to be revered for both its scientific and artistic value. Louis van Houtte's work represents an important era in European horticulture, marked by a combination of botanical exploration, artistic excellence, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of plants. His publications remain some of the finest examples of 19th-century botanical art and knowledge.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13 in (33 cm)Width: 9.65 in (24.5 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1855
  • Condition:
    The condition of this genuine antique is good, given age, with the central fold line being a characteristic of its original publication. Light foxing. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13748-561stDibs: LU3054341526222

More From This Seller

View All
Stamford Rhododendron: Hand-Colored Lithograph by Louis van Houtte, 1855
Located in Langweer, NL
This hand-colored lithograph depicts a beautiful cluster of *Rhododendron stamfordianum*, a variety noted for its vibrant pink blooms with dark speckles at the center of each flower....
Category

Antique 1850s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of the Peony Flowering Plant by Comte, 1854
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Pivoine'. Print of peony (or paeony) flowering plant. This print originates from 'Musée d'Histoire Naturelle' by M. Achille Comte. Artists and Engravers: Publ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Captivating 1805 Hand-Colored Engraving of Wild and Cultivated Roses
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: 1805 Hand-Colored Engraving of Roses from Bertuch’s Work Description: This exquisite hand-colored engraving is from Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s *Porte-Feuille des Enfants* ...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Botany Print of a Rose by Van Houtte 'c.1880'
Located in Langweer, NL
Beautiful antique botany print of a rose. Published by or after Louis van Houtte, circa 1880.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Beautiful Watercolored Work of Roses of an Unknown Artist, c1880
Located in Langweer, NL
A very decorative work of an unknown artist, estimated to be made in the late 19th century. We also offer thousands of antique prints covering fields of interest as diverse as archi...
Category

Antique 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Tree Rhododendron: An Original Hand-Colored Engraving from 1845
Located in Langweer, NL
This hand-colored engraving from the 'Dictionnaire Classique des Sciences Naturelles' presents the 'Rhododendron Arboreum', commonly known as the Tree Rhododendron. The illustration ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

The Camelliaceae - Lithograph by Vincenzo Tenore - 1870s
Located in Roma, IT
Lithograph hand watercolored. Plate from "Atlante di Botanica popolare ossia Illustrazione di Piante Notevoli di ogni famiglia" (Atlas of popular botany or illustration of notable p...
Category

1870s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Original Antique Botanical Print - Climbing Rose, circa 1870
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely botanical print Chromo-lithograph Original color Published, circa 1870 Unframed. Free shipping
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Prints

Materials

Paper

After Clara Pope - Pair Of 20th Century Digital Print, Camellia
Located in Corsham, GB
A fine pair of well presented digital prints from the lithographs by Weddell after Clara Pope's original 18th Century paintings. The pair have been identically presented in wash line...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Still-life Prints

Materials

Digital

Original Antique Botanical Print - Red Rose, circa 1870
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely botanical print Chromo-lithograph Original color Published, circa 1870 Unframed. Chipped top left corner Free shipping
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Prints

Materials

Paper

The Camelliaceae - Lithograph by Vincenzo Tenore - 1870s
Located in Roma, IT
Lithograph hand watercolored. Belongs to the Series "Atlante di Botanica popolare ossia Illustrazione di Piante Notevoli di ogni famiglia" (Atlas of popular botany or illustration o...
Category

19th Century Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Original Antique Botanical Print- Roses. After Macfarlane, circa 1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of roses Chromo-lithograph after J.L Macfarlane Published by Cassell. circa 1880 Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of ...
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Prints

Materials

Paper