Pierre-Joseph Redouté’s flower prints are so lush and detailed that you can almost pick the flowers off the page. In the famous rose print below, a single drop of water rests exquisitely on a rose petal of the top rose. Born in a family of artists*, Pierre-Joseph became known as the premier botanical illustrator of his day (indeed, to this day). His influence spread far and wide and can be still felt in illustrations on cards, decorative boxes, books, wallpapers and prints, and calendars.
The watercolor images in this post were taken from his famous book of prints, Les Roses. Redouté, known as the “Raphael of flowers, mastered the technique of stipple engraving- in which he uses tiny dots, rather than lines, to create engraved copies of his watercolor illustrations. This new technique allowed him to make subtle variations in coloring (see the detail of the magnolia in the last image below).
The four faces (and ages) of Pierre-Joseph Redouté
Redouté completed the three volumes of Les Roses, his best known work, between 1817 and 1824. His most popular illustrations are assembled in Les Liliacées (486 watercolors); and Les Roses (169 watercolors). Hand-colored stipple engravings, such as the magnolia sitting at the bottom of this post, were made from these watercolors. – Discovery Editions
Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, was known for her spectacular garden at Chateau de Malmaison, where exotic plants were cultivated. The plants, acquired from around the world, were documented by France’s leading horticulturists and botanists, and painted by Pierre-Joseph Redouté.
Detail of the magnolia engraving below.
- The Floral Art of Pierre Joseph Redoute by Marianne Roland Michel, Peter C. Sutton, Carolyn Rose Rebbert, 2002
- George Glazer Gallery
- Illustration in book
- Trouvais
- Rose Prints
- A Picture of Roses
- Dictionary of painters and Engravers, 1889 By Michael Bryan, Robert Edmund Graves
- Les Liliacees, Cincinnati Historical Society Library
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vic , Laura . Laura said: RT @janeaustenworld The lush botanical prints of Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) on Jane Austen's World, http://bit.ly/111pVe […]
Amazing techniques and vivid images and artwork.
I have a print of Redouté’s ‘Canterbury Bells’ in my office that I can help but stare at every time I enter the room. His mastery is undeniable. The colour even in a reproduction is vivid and the technique unmistakable. Great post and all the very best.
I family of artists! Beautiful work in watercolor no less! Amazing!
Stunning. I love botanical prints.
I have long admired Redouté. He inspired me to pursue a specialty in botanical illustration in college. I have three rose prints hanging above my bed. Reprints – not originals from his books, which are quite pricey these days.
Thanks for the excellent recap of life & works Vic.
[…] November my co-blogger Vic (Ms. Place) at Jane Austen Today wrote an excellent post on French botanical artist Pierre Joseph Redoute (1759-1840) at her blog Jane Austen’s World. It reminded me how much I cherish this artist. […]
I have loved Redoutè ‘s beautiful work since childhood. This led me to visit many of the places
in Belgium, Paris and London where he lived and worked, including his hometown, St Hubert, Belgium and Malmaison. My picture book, REDOUTE, The Man Who Painted Flowers (Putnam) was the result of my research into his life. You can find posts about the book on my blog, http://cateatsbananasandflies.blogspot.com/search/label/Pierre-Joseph%20Redouté
Carolyn Croll
hello. i love the art at the top of your site. can you tell me more about it? who is the artist?
[…] the entire castle. Marianne painstakingly hand-painted botanical studies in the style of Besler and Redouté. Darren, of course, was fervently flipping through local histories to envision the legacy of the […]
[…] janeaustensworld.wordpress.com […]
I have an original print-dated 1817 of Redoute’s The Turpentine-Scented Downy Rose also the botanical name is Rosa Villosa Terebenthina-I am interested in selling-can anyone help me out on how to go about selling the item. It has been valued at around 2200.00.
thanks
divotcad@bellsouth.net