N. 134 (Adonis Vernalis. Spring or Perennial Adonis)
London: W. Curtis, 1794.
Botanical print. Copper plate engraving with hand coloring. Page measures 9" x 5.75".
This beautiful engraving depicts the Adonis vernalis flowering plant, also known as pheasant's eye, spring spheasant's eye, yellow pheasant's eye or false hellebore. Curtis writes that the species is "and old inhabitant of the English gardens" and also "growns wild on the mountainous pastures of some parts of Germany".
William Curtis (1746-1799) was an English botanist who began as an apothecary before turning his attention to natural history. He established his own London Botanic Garden in the 1770's and published "Flora Londinensis" (6 volumes, 1777-1798) which was devoted to urban nature. This was not a financial success, but he went on to publish "The Botanical Magazine" in 1787, a work that featured hand colored plates by various artists, and which was very popular. Natural history illustrators such as James Sowerby and Sydenham Edwards found a start with the magazine.
This botanical is from volume 1 of the magazine and is sold with it's original description. Pin holes along left edge from original binding. Full original margins. Please visit our gallery for more Curtis prints.
Language: English
Price: $50.00
Item #311412