Botanical Plate 24
1809
Here is a delicate botanical plate of *Rhexia tenella*, a 'meadow beauty' plant captured with scientific precision. While often associated with the great explorer Alexander von Humboldt, the tiny text 'Turpin del.' credits the actual artist, Pierre-Jean-François Turpin, who illustrated Humboldt's massive South American flora. The diagrams at the bottom act like a botanical exploded view, showing off the tiny reproductive parts for study. It’s a lovely example of early 19th-century scientific illustration where art and biology were inseparable.
- Technique
- Engraving
- Material
- Paper
Views: 1