Corona Imperialis 24 - 1736

This is "Corona Imperialis", a botanical illustration by Philip Miller, made sometime in the 18th century. This image reflects the Enlightenment's fascination with the natural world, an era when scientific observation gained importance. Miller was a prominent figure at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London. The image also speaks to the cultural phenomenon of collecting and classifying plants. It served a dual purpose: aesthetic appreciation and scientific documentation. The very act of naming it "Corona Imperialis," or Imperial Crown, subtly links the natural world with human structures of power. The botanical details are rendered with precision, but there is also a political dimension to its creation and reception, reflecting the hierarchies of its time. To fully understand this work, one could explore the plant's origins and its role in the global economy of the 18th century. One might also consider its contribution to the prestige of institutions such as the Chelsea Physic Garden.