(Cyclamen) Theatrum Florae. Paris 1622. Framed $595.00

"Cyclamen..."

France and Holland have the distinction of producing the finest flower painters who made the very best contributions to the art of  botanical illustration in the 17th century.

Daniel Rabel (French 1578-1637) was one of a group of extraordinarily talented 17th century flower painters, celebrated for his portraiture, his landscapes and his "triumphant flower paintings." His style was a synthesis of early herbal wood engravings combined with the more refined traditional of illuminated manuscript painting. The resulting engraved botanical plates are delights for the eye.

In 1622 Rabel had printed a botanical textbook titled, Theatrum Florae, which was similar in scope to the botanical work produced by his contemporaries Pierre Vallet and Theodore De Bry. A bit larger in format and more boldly engraved, Rabel's work was an instant success very much in demand. In 1920 the noted English botanical scholar and author Wilfred Blunt wrote poetically about Rabel's engravings, "Look at Rabel's little studies. Here, assuredly, we see the hand of a man who cultivated his own garden..." (The Art of Botanical Illustration pg 106-108).

The original plates we offer for sale are perfect gems, wonderful examples of Daniel Rabel's art.

Copperplate engraving on laid paper.
Archivally framed (please contact us for photos) outside framed dimension 20 x 15 3/4 inches.
Sharp impression with old hand color, excellent condition.