Erica Fulgida 1813

Pierre Joseph Redouté's "Erica Fulgida" (1813) is a stunning example of botanical illustration, a genre he excelled in. This watercolor on paper, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, showcases Redouté's meticulous detail and precise depiction of the Erica plant. The delicate pink blossoms and the finely rendered, elongated green leaves contribute to the work's scientific accuracy while simultaneously capturing the beauty of the natural world. Redouté's works were highly valued for their artistic quality and were often commissioned by wealthy patrons, contributing to his lasting legacy as a master of botanical illustration.