Rosa Centifolia Possibly 1788

"Rosa Centifolia L" is a botanical illustration by Joseph Jakob Plenck, a renowned Austrian physician and botanist, created possibly in 1788. The artwork, which depicts a single stem of the hundred-leaf rose, showcases the delicate beauty of the flower, its leaves, and thorns in exquisite detail. The watercolor painting is a testament to Plenck's meticulous observation of nature and his mastery of botanical illustration. Currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the artwork is a compelling example of the scientific illustration genre prevalent during the Enlightenment era.