Virginia Spiderwort

By Pierre-Joseph Redouté

Enter the Imperial Gardens at Malmaison with this fine replica of a Pierre-Joseph Redouté's Masterpiece, which is one of those that were included in the renowned botanic folio, "Les Liliacées", completed by the artist during 1802 and 1816. It was commissioned by Empress Josephine Bonaparte herself, hence reflecting the unique combination of precise botanical accuracy and gentle romanticism inherent to French aristocracy.

The famous "Raphael of Flowers" applied his well-known stipple engraving method to create an impressive image of the Virginia Spiderwort. It presents three-petal dark purple flowers with bright golden-yellow stamens, surrounded by elegant ribbon-like green leaves. Contrary to conventional botanical illustrations, Pierre-Joseph Redouté always painted only live flowers; that is what brings so much life into his art, and this lithograph will stay alive even in 200 years.