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C1827
Telopea speciosissima
Artist:
Superb c.19th engraving of the Waratah by one of the most famous French botanical artists. The Waratah was first described by botanist James Edward Smith in A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland, 1793 from “very fine dried specimens sent by … Read Full Description
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S/N: MHGDA-BOT-AA-08559–481697
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Details
Full Title:
Telopea speciosissima
Date:
C1827
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition.
Technique:
Copper engraving with original hand colouring.
Image Size:
112mm
x 180mm
Paper Size:
168mm
x 265mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1827
Description:
Superb c.19th engraving of the Waratah by one of the most famous French botanical artists.
The Waratah was first described by botanist James Edward Smith in A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland, 1793 from “very fine dried specimens sent by Mr. White’. He gave the species its original binomial name of Embothrium speciosissimum, Robert Brown suggested the genus Telopea for it in 1809, which was published in 1810.
Common names: Waratah or New South Wales Waratah
Modern binomial name: Telopea speciosissima
First scientific description: Brown, 1810
Distribution: NSW
From: Mordant de Launay and Loiseleur-Deslongchamps, Herbier général de l’amateur, contenant la description, l’histoire, les propriétés et la culture des végétaux utiles et agréables.
References:
Sitwell, S. Great Flower Books 1700-1900. New York 1990 : p. 161.
Nissen, C. Die Botanische Buchillustration. Stuttgart 1966 2351.
Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID: 3415237
Royal Collection Trust UK: RCIN 1057386
State Library New South Wales: RB/DS580.5/3 (SET)
State Library Victoria: RARES 580.5 P28
State Library South Australia: 580.5 P342
State Library Queensland: 1588742
Pancrace Bessa (1772 - 1835)
Pancrace Bessa (1772–1835) studied at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris (commonly known as the Jardin des Plantes) where he came under the artistic influence of the master botanical artist and chair of iconography Gerard van Spaendonck (1746–1822) and the famous flower painter Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759–1840)—with whom it is thought he directly studied. Bessa was hired as a peintre des fleurs to portray rare plants for the famous collection of vélins—the paintings on vellum begun in the mid-17th century for Gaston d’Orleans, inherited by Louis XIV and transferred to the Jardin du Roi—that was nationalized and renamed the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in 1793. The Muséum was an internationally recognized center for research in the natural sciences with a staff of the leading French botanists and artists and a strong relationship with the Académie Royale des Sciences in Paris. Through the connections he made at the Muséum, Pancrace Bessa illustrated some of the most important botanical publications by the leading French botanists, horticulturists and agriculturists of the day, portraying new species of fruits, flowers and trees from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. For some works he was the sole illustrator, and for others he collaborated with talented artists of the day, such as his teacher Pierre-Joseph Redouté. Many of Bessa’s original paintings were reproduced using the technique of stipple engraving.
