The Origins of Botanical Illustration

The Origins of Botanical Illustration

Early herbals and pharmacopoeia of many cultures have included the depiction of plants. This was intended to assist the identification of a species, usually with some medicinal purpose. In this article, we'll learn about when the interest in botanical images became widespread, and the unique prespective botanical illustration provides. 

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The Origins of Botanical Illustration

Early herbals and pharmacopoeia of many cultures have included the depiction of plants. This was intended to assist the identification of a species, usually with some medicinal purpose. The earliest surviving illustrated botanical work is the Codex vindobonensis. It is a copy of Dioscorides's De Materia Medica and was made in the year 512 for Juliana Anicia, daughter of the former Western Roman Emperor Olybrius. The problem of accurately describing plants between regions and languages before the introduction of taxonomy was potentially hazardous to medicinal preparations. The low quality of printing of early works sometimes presents difficulties in identifying the species depicted.

Botanical Illustration of a Flower

How did professional botanical illustrators emerge?

When systems of botanical nomenclature began to be published, the need for a drawing or painting became optional. However, it was then that the profession of botanical illustrator began to emerge. The eighteenth century saw many advances in printing, and the illustrations became more accurate in colour and detail. The increasing interest of amateur botanists, gardeners, and natural historians provided a market for botanical publications; the drawings increased the appeal and accessibility to the general reader. Since then, field guides, floras, catalogues and magazines have continued to include illustrations.

Botanical Illustration of a Flower

 

The benefits of using illustration rather than photography

The development of photographic plates has not made illustration obsolete, despite the improvements in reproducing photographs in printed materials. A botanical illustrator can create a compromise of accuracy, an idealised image from several specimens, and the inclusion of the face and reverse of the features such as leaves. Additionally, details of sections can be given at a magnified scale and included around the margins of the image. 

Botanical Illustration of a Flower

 Interested in learning more? 

Flowers and Plants

Get Flowers and Plants via paperback or eBook to access hundreds of beautifully rendered botanical illustrations to use in graphic design projects, wedding invitations, collages and art projects. This is the best reference material available for botanical illustrations and designs.

Flowers and Plants is a brilliantly curated resource of over 400 high-resolution vintage botanical illustrations that will provide you with precisely that. This book features inspiring artwork from acclaimed botanical illustrators and taxonomists such as Hoola van Nooten and J.Pass. This pictorial archive features a diverse range of lush tropical flowers, fruits, palms, ferns, cacti, carnivorous plants and exotic fungi. Also featured are masterfully rendered perennials, roses, classic ornamental garden varietals and more. 
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Each book comes with a unique download link providing instant access to all 400+ images featured. Use these images in art and design projects, or printed and framed to make stunning decorative artworks for your home and office.

Monsters and Beasts

Interested in learning more? Get Monsters & Beastsvia paperback and eBook. This title features hundreds of exquisitely crafted 17th and 18th-century etchings and engravings of monsters and beasts. This pictorial archive features serpents, animal mutations, sea monsters, dragons, griffins, chimeras, bizarre human mutations and abnormalities, extraordinary fanciful animals and much more.

Image Download Included: Each book comes with a download link providing instant access to high-resolution files of all images featured. These images can be used in art and graphic design projects, or printed and framed to make stunning decorative artworks. This book is ideal for graphic designers, illustrators, tattooists and fine artists.