Animating China Rose - Rosa Indica Dichotoma

by Pierre-Joseph Redouté

Often referred to as the “Raphael of Flowers,” Redouté masterfully presents the delicate nature and dynamic beauty of the Rosa Indica Dichotoma or Animate China Rose. Found in his acclaimed set of three books entitled Les Roses, this artwork showcases the specific traits of the Bengal or China rose that was introduced into Europe at the time. The stipple engraving method employed by Redouté, which uses fine dots layered onto one another in order to achieve a gradient effect, excellently depicts the delicate pink petals, thorny branches, and serrated leaves.

The reason for the “animate” title is that the flowers in this particular species change colors as they mature in sunlight. This illustration represents the quintessence of the scientific precision and elegance found in 19th-century prints.