FINE ANTIQUE PRINTS

Tab. L. “Ficus… Ficus benghalensis”

Georg Dionysius Ehret (1708-1770) was the dominant influence in European botanical art during the mid 18th century. Ehret was trained as a gardener, so his scientific and practical interest
in his subjects was assured, and his watercolors and water colored engravings reveal his unique talents as a botanical artist who loved plants. His travels brought him into contact with Sir Hans Sloan, Carolus Linneaus, Philip Miller, Johann Weinmann and many other important scientists and botanical artists of his time, but it was his generous patron, Dr. Christof Trew who made his most famous works possible; Hortus Nitidissimis and Plantae Selectae. This bold image was contained in Plantae Selectae, a 100 plate work of rare and exotic plants, including those recently introduced from the Americas. No expense was spared in the creation of this lavish production, including the use of gold leaf gilding on the titles.

This image shows Ehret’s familiarity with Linnean theory. The sexual parts of the plant are shown and identified and the plant is identified by its number (#471) in Hortus Cliffordianus; the book of Linnaeas’ descriptions of George Clifford’s garden.

Framed to museum specifications to a finished size of 25 x 23 3/4 inches.
Hand colored copperplate engraving.
Excellent condition.