James Sowerby, Plate 1. [A Carnation], (London: 1789-90)

James Sowerby (English, 1757-1822)
Plate 1. [A Carnation]
From Flora luxurians; or The Florist's Delight. 
London: 1789-1790
Etching with original hand color 
17 ¾” x 10 ¾” visible; 27 ½” x 20 ¼” framed

These fine plates, depicting some of the classic florists’ flowers (tulips, carnations, auriculas, anemones, hyacinths, ranunculus and polyanthus), well justify Sowerby’s claim to be the finest English botanical artist of the time. He states on the wrapper:

“As all the Productions of the Earth were designed from the Amusement or Convenience of its Inhabitants; the most humble Attempt to display the Beauties of Nature should not be despised by those, who, wrapped up in their own Pursuits, think every other insignificant. Many of our first Florists having expressed a Wish to see some of their best Fancy Flowers delineated, the Artist has chosen some… as he imagined coloured Engravings might be acceptable to those who are not enamoured with the Culture of the short-lived Originals.”