Plate 33. (Centaurea) The Ladies Flower Garden. London: Day & Haghe, 1841. $225.00

Plate 33. "Centaurea Crocodylium, Centaurea moschata alba,.... Immobium alatum"

Nineteenth century ladies of good breeding studied watercolor drawing. Jane Webb Loudon (1807-1858) was no exception. However, in her case, the activity was much more than a diversion. Janes's father died when she was only 17 and the commercial success of her books kept her from poverty. She produced decorative books of flowers based upon her own paintings. They were intended for an audience of gardeners.  The volumes, published between 1840 and 1846, were entitled The Ladies Flower Garden of Ornamental Annuals, ...Bulbous Plants, ...Perennials and ...Ornamental Greenhouse Plants. They were so popular that they went into a second printing in 1850.  

10 5/8 x 8 inches, sheet.
Hand colored lithograph.
Excellent condition.