Aquatint and mezzotint, printed in colour and finished by hand, heightened with gum arabic, from The Temple of Flora. Framed and glazed, overall dimensions: 52 x 64 cm. (20 1/2 x 25 1/4 in). Second state. Robert John Thornton (?1786-1837) was a prolific medical author and became a Doctor of Medicine at St Andrews University and licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians. However, he is best remembered for his great botanical publication The Temple of Flora, which formed a part of the larger work New Illustration of the sexual system of.Linnaeus. In 1797, he also began advertising for subscribers to his planned natural history publishing venture, which eventually became known as The Temple of Flora, comprised of 30 folio botanical plates. For these remarkable illustrations, he engaged the services of the leading artists and engravers of his day: Sir William Beechey, James Opie, Henry Raeburn, John Russell, Philip Reinagle and others as painters; Francesco Bartolozzi, Richard Earlom and John Landseer. Most of the images were painted by Peter Charles Henderson and Philip Reinagle. These botanical illustrations are unique as they were the first flower prints with landscape backgrounds, depicting the natural habitat of the plant. The life-size flowers stand out dramatically and the whole effect is startlingly modern. Thornton's announced intention was to make this work the most magnificent tribute ever paid to the famous Swedish botanist Linnaeus by illustrating his Sexual System with the finest possible prints. All these were engraved on a larger scale than anything which had hitherto appeared and then were printed in colour, an expensive and uncommon method in England at this time. A brilliant effect. Nissen Blunt, p236-242; Dunthorne, Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collectors, page 144. Seller Inventory # 94919

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Tulips.

Publisher: London -1807

Publication Date: 1799

Store Description

Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper. Our specialists have particular expertise in fine illustrated books from the 15th to the 20th century, travel & voyages, natural history, modern firsts, rare children?s books, guidebooks, Hebraica & Judaica, works of Russian interest, and Islamica. We have possibly the largest selection of Baedeker and other Travel Guides and our Print Gallery has an enormous selection covering every topic of Antique Prints including Maps and Photographs. Please visit us at http://www.shapero.com

Visit Seller's Storefront

Association Member

Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

Shapero Rare Books
32 Saint George Street, London, W1S 2EA, United Kingdom

Terms of Sale:

The condition of all books has been described; all items are guaranteed to be complete unless otherwise stated. Invoices will be rendered in Sterling. The title of goods does not pass to the purchaser until the invoice is paid in full.

Shipping Terms:

Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Payment Methods
accepted by seller

PayPal Invoice Bank/Wire Transfer

Add to Wants