A brief history of botanical illustration
Botanical illustration, or the art of representing plants (trees, plants and flowers), goes back a very long way. For a very long time, poets, philosophers, scientists and artists have been interested in plants both for their therapeutic virtues and for their beauty, attributing symbolic and sometimes even magical powers to them.
From treatises on medicinal plants to works devoted to ornamental plants, we can't help but admire the diversity of forms, the shimmer of colours and the infinite details that make up the enchanting world of the Flora empire.
The oldest known botanical representations belong to the world of Ancient Egypt, which made papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) a powerful symbol of Lower Egypt, but also of fertility, maternity and rebirth.
Although the plant world seems totally absent from Neolithic cave paintings, it may well have played a central role in human history from this period onwards. Chewed fragments of Datura recently discovered in the wall of a rock art site have opened up the possibility of a shamanic origin for prehistoric art.
The first known botanical illustrations other than those from Ancient Egypt come from Ancient Greece. The Dioscorides of Vienna is a codex illustrated with more than 400 drawings of animals and plants depicted in a naturalistic style.
The great names of botanical illustration
Let's be clear, drawing up an exhaustive list of the most notable botanical illustrators is an impossible task. Whether the focus is on the artistic dimension or the rigorous representation of plant species, each illustrator must be considered according to his or her own aspirations. This list will therefore be entirely partial, subjective and incomplete. However, it is a useful guide! I hope it will inspire you to discover the artists who have worked in the noble discipline of botanical illustration.
Joris Hoefnagel
(1542-1600): Flemish engraver renowned for meticulously detailed
illustrations of plants, animals, insects, and landscapes, influencing natural
history illustration.
Johann Walter
(1604-1677): Painter and chronicler from Strasbourg, known at Wallango for
his illustrations for the Nassau-Idstein Miscellany.
Pierre-Joseph Redouté
(1759-1840): French botanical artist, nicknamed "The Raphael of
Flowers," for his stunningly lifelike illustrations popularizing botany,
especially roses.
William Morris
(1834-1896): British artist and socialist championed handcrafted design in
the Arts and Crafts Movement, influencing textiles, wallpaper, and more.
Hasegawa Keika
(1879-1938): Pioneering Japanese woodblock print artist known for vibrant
colors and innovative perspectives, depicting kabuki theater, bijin, and
landscapes.
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What are the main types of botanical illustration ?
Botanical illustrations are usually divided into two distinct types: scientific and artistic. Although this is an artificial and porous separation in many respects, there are indeed singular approaches. So-called scientific illustrations give priority to the precision and accuracy of botanical details. They are primarily useful for identifying, classifying and documenting plants. With this emphasis on precision in mind, scientific botanical illustration artists use line drawings, Indian ink and watercolour. Artistic botanical illustration, on the other hand, is not subject to this realistic imperative and is characterised by a great deal of freedom for the artist, manifested in the diversity of techniques and modes of representation.
What types of botanical posters are available?
There are plenty of botanical posters on the market, including original illustrations, vintage prints and reproductions.
Where to buy botanical prints ?
Original illustrations or period reproductions of botanical posters can be purchased from specialist online shops, auctions or flea markets. Some bookshops also sell illustrated books in beautiful first editions with full-page illustrations.
At Wallango.com we sell modern reproductions at excellent value for money. We specialise in high definition printing and our posters are printed on high quality paper (250 gr/m2). We ensure that every detail is reproduced and that the colours are as faithful as possible to the original images. Our digital restoration teams work to this end, guaranteeing you high-quality images.
