Iris germanica (Bearded Iris) by Anonymous

Iris germanica (Bearded Iris) 1812

print

tropical

egg art

print

botanical illustration

possibly oil pastel

green background

france

animal drawing portrait

watercolour illustration

botanical art

watercolor

warm toned green

This anonymous botanical illustration from 1812 depicts an Iris germanica, commonly known as the Bearded Iris. The artwork showcases the intricate details of the flower, with its vibrant purple petals, yellow stamen, and delicate green leaves. This print, part of the larger tradition of botanical illustration, highlights the beauty and scientific accuracy of nature. The style of the artwork is reminiscent of the meticulous precision of 19th century botanical illustration, which aimed to capture the essence of the natural world with accuracy and detail. The piece, housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, offers viewers a glimpse into the rich history of botanical art and the enduring appeal of nature.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Botanical illustrators working in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries devoted themselves to the medicinal qualities of plants and sought to render plant structure and function as precisely as they could. Later, European explorers brought specimens back from exotic locales, and artists carefully reproduced them for an audience fascinated by new discoveries. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, artists had shifted their emphasis from scientific illustration to the innate beauty of the plant or flower. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is fortunate to possess an impressive collection of more than 2,000 botanical prints and drawings.