Masdevallia Harryana Splendens - The Scarlet Masdevallia

by Henry Frederick Conrad Sander

This beautiful plant illustration portrays the spirit of the Andean mountains in its purest form. The Masdevallia Harryana Splendens or the Scarlet Masdevallia, is illustrated with the unique style and grandeur of Henry Frederick Conrad Sander. While most orchids have their characteristic appearance, this particular orchid stands out due to its bold magenta to crimson coloration and curved sepals ending in a long tail.

The lithographic technique used by Sander to illustrate his orchids in Reichenbachia was nothing short of groundbreaking. The scarlet coloration in this print would have taken many stone plates to accomplish. This painting is not only a scientific depiction but also a tribute to the orchid craze, known as Orchidadelirium, during the Victorian era.