Pinus Smithiana [Picea smithiana] [Spruce]

Very rare large botanical from Nathaniel Wallich’s, Plantae Asiaticae Rariores.

Common name: Morinda spruce or West Himalayan spruce
Modern binomial name: Picea smithiana

Wallich’s series, Plantae Asiaticae Rariores was issued in 1830–1832. Wallich used for the first time Indian artists for the original paintings. These talented artists were, Vishnupersaud and Gorachand. Vishnupersaud’s skill was legendary and Wilfrid Blunt included one of his watercolours in his book The Art of Botanical Illustration as displaying great craftsmanship. 

Wallich had wrote, “The present Work consists of a selection of plants made chiefly from a series of 1200 drawings, executed under my direction by Native Artists. He also unusually named , John Clark as the colourist who hand coloured the lithographs.