Description
Artist: Bessa, Pancrace
Title or Name: Calycanthe Fertilis
Plate Number: N/A
Publication: Flore Des Jardiners, Amatuers et manufacturies d’apres les dessins de Bessa
Date Published: 1836, Paris
Medium: Copperplate Engraving with original hand coloring
Paper: Laid
Condition of Artwork: Excellent
Matting: Hand decorated, double matted, and mounted with acid-free materials
Frame: Modern
Condition of Frame: Excellent
Frame Size: 16-1/4″ x 13-1/4″ Matted Size: 13-1/2″ x 10-1/2″
Window Size: 9-1/4″ x 5-3/4″
Includes: Copy of Title Page, Brief Artist Biography
ID #: F 1491
Prints from this publication feature very nice original hand coloring.
Pancrace Bessa was a pupil of Redoute & Van Spaendonck. During this era of magnificent French botanical illustration, he contributed to some of the most famous works of the time, including the masterpiece, “Description des Plantes cultivees a Malmaison a Navarre”, in which 9 illustrations are by Bessa and 54 by Redoute. He enjoyed the patronage of the colorful Duchesse de Berry, and her father-in-law, King Charles X of France. His most notable work is “L’Herbier Generale de L’Amateur” by Mordant de Launey & Loiseleur Longchamp, 1810-1837. Bessa’s last work was “Flore des Jardiniers, amateurs et manufactures d’apres les dessins de Bessa”; these plates are rare images from that most beautiful work of some 300 prints. This publication contains the same plates as his “L’Herbier Generale de L’Amateur”, but with the added information of the habitat, date of flowering, and a key to dissections. The artificiality and Empire elegance that characterizes much of the work of Redoute is replaced in these illustrations by an exuberance of design and color, and a grace of form that makes Bessa the last, and perhaps the greatest, in a glorious era of French illustrators.
Note: Please read item descriptions for an accurate condition report. Due to digital photography of glazed items, reflections may occur on the glass and appear as shadows and may cause distortion. Shades and coloring in artwork and/or mats can vary slightly from the actual color due to the light conditions under which the photos have been taken. Digital photography can at times cause straight lines in an image or on a mat can appear wavy or broken, particularly in close-ups.
Many of our items are framed in Antique frames, therefore may have chips or repairs due to their age. Please read the descriptions given, as we will disclose all known conditions.
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Original Antique Flower Engraving
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