The Roses: The Complete Plates

The Roses – The Complete Plates; Pierre-Joseph Redoute 1759 – 1840; Taschen, Koln, 2007. Pierre-Joseph Redouté was a painter and botanist from Belgium, known for his watercolours of roses, lilies and other flowers at Malmaison, many of which were published as large, color stipple engravings. He was nicknamed "the Raphael of flowers" and has been called the greatest botanical illustrator of all time. Redouté was an official court artist of Marie Antoinette, and continued painting through the French Revolution and Reign of Terror. He survived the turbulent political upheaval to gain international recognition for his precise renderings of plants, which remain as fresh in the early 21st century as when first painted. He combined great artistic skills with a pleasing, ingratiating personality which assisted him with his influential patrons. After Queen Marie-Antoinette, his patrons included both of Napoleon's wives -- Empress Joséphine and Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma—as well as Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily wife of Louis Philippe I, the last king of France. The book contains two text chapters: Redoute and the Culture of Roses, by Petra-Andrea Hinz; and Redoute – Technique and Method of Printing. There are over 170 full page colour paintings by Redoute in this Rose Book of Rose Books. This book was one of Taschen’s 25th anniversary special editions. This folio sized volume, 204 pages measuring 328mm X 260mm, is in fine condition. The dust jacket is in near-fine condition, with the only fault a 1mm wear at the top of the spine, and it is now enclosed in a protective mylar wrap. A magnificent portfolio of Roses.…