Phaius humbloti 1885 - 1906

Jean Jules Linden made this botanical illustration of the Phaius humbloti orchid using lithography. This printmaking technique involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then applying ink which adheres only to the drawn areas. The image is then transferred to paper. Note the texture of the paper itself and the flatness of the image. Linden, a botanist and horticulturist, co-founded a company specializing in orchids. Botanical illustration served a practical purpose, aiding in identification and classification, but it was also driven by a desire to capture the beauty and diversity of the natural world. The commercial orchid business drove demand for these images. The Phaius humbloti print is a beautiful example of how art, science, and commerce intersected in the 19th century. It challenges our understanding of the time, as it straddles the line between artistic expression, scientific documentation, and the marketing of luxury goods.