This stunning example of an original stipple engraving with antique hand-coloring highlights the elegant beauty of Wand Flower / Ixia Anemonaeflora, delicately depicted by none other than the “Raphael of Flowers,” Pierre-Joseph Redouté. Known for his unparalleled botanical accuracy and commissioned artist to Empress Joséphine’s illustrious gardens, Redouté wonderfully depicts the slender and upright appearance of this South African plant.The image consists of a single stem terminating in a pristine white flower accented with yellow at its heart, bordered on each side by buds. In keeping with the meticulous approach of the Enlightenment period, the bottom half of the image is filled with detailed representations of the floral reproductive organs and seed formation. The excellent definition of the plate marks, linear detail in the sword-shaped leaves, and tonal range demonstrate the high standard achieved by early 19th-century French botanical prints.
