Botanical Plate 20
1809
Step into the muddy boots of explorer Alexander von Humboldt with this delicate botanical study of *Rhexia ornata*. Labeled 'Pl. 26' in the corner, this hand-colored engraving by Jean-Baptiste Henri Joseph Turpin captures the plant’s entire anatomy, from its spindly roots to those striking magenta flowers. The tiny sketches at the bottom act like a scientific zoom-in, showing dissected petals and seeds for classification. Created around 1809, these illustrations were the 'high-resolution photos' of their day, allowing European scientists to marvel at the exotic flora Humboldt discovered in the Americas without leaving their libraries.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
- Material
- Paper
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