Fritillaire Imperiale 1827

Pierre Joseph Redouté's *Fritillaire Imperiale* (1827) is a stunning example of botanical illustration. Known as the "Raphael of Flowers," Redouté captured the delicate beauty of the fritillary flower with meticulous detail, rendering its bell-shaped blooms in shades of orange and yellow against a stark white background. The leaves are painted with exquisite precision, showcasing the artist's mastery of watercolor. This print, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, exemplifies the high regard botanical illustrations held in the 19th century as scientific records and artistic masterpieces.