[null, {"document_url": "https://antiques.lovetoknow.com/about-antiques/vintage-botanical-illustrations", "unformatted_src": "https://cf.ltkcdn.net/antiques/images/std/180581-250x404-Tropical-Fruit-from-Vegetable-Kingdom.jpg", "src": "https://cf.ltkcdn.net/antiques/images/std/180581-250x404-Tropical-Fruit-from-Vegetable-Kingdom.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Tropical Fruit from Vegetable Kingdom", "alt_text": "Tropical Fruit from Vegetable Kingdom by William Rhind"}, null, {"document_url": "https://antiques.lovetoknow.com/about-antiques/vintage-botanical-illustrations", "unformatted_src": "https://cf.ltkcdn.net/antiques/images/std/180019-325x251-Pitcher-Plant-Nepenthes-distillatoria-Print.jpg", "src": "https://cf.ltkcdn.net/antiques/images/std/180019-325x251-Pitcher-Plant-Nepenthes-distillatoria-Print.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Pitcher Plant Nepenthes distillatoria Print", "alt_text": "Pitcher Plant, Nepenthes distillatoria PXT282"}, null, null]
With their exquisite detail and gorgeous depictions of flowers and plants, vintage botanical prints offer a chance to collect something lovely and also beautify your home. These illustrations, which appeared in seed catalogs, natural history publications, and herbal medicine books, became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Whether you are planning a collection or simply want a few examples to decorate your walls, it's important to understand the basics of this collectible art form.

Understanding Vintage Botanical Art

Prior to the invention of the portable camera, illustrations served an essential role in preserving the appearance and details of plant species from around the world. According to the American Society of Botanical Artists, the period between 1750 and 1850 is considered the "golden age" for this type of art. Professional botanical illustrators, such as Pierre-Joseph Redoute and Ferdinand and Franz Bauer, created thousands of representational depictions of plant life during this period.

Over the next century, as photographic methods improved and art became more abstract, the popularity of realistic botanical illustrations declined dramatically. However, because this type of art offers greater focus and detail than the best photography, it still has an important role in scientific publications. Today, vintage botanical prints are hot with collectors of scientific ephemera and artwork.

Types of Plants

Although depictions of beautiful flowers are what many people think of when they hear about botanical illustrations, these works of art actually cover a wide variety of plant types. You'll see botanical art showing the following plants: Tropical Fruit Antique Print

Common Characteristics

Each botanical artist has his or her own style; however, there are some common characteristics in this type of art.

Tips for Collecting

Although the golden age of botanical illustrations is long past, these works are popular with collectors. They offer a gorgeous way to decorate your home and look fantastic framed in a gallery-style grouping. If you're considering starting or adding to a collection, keep the following tips in mind.

Know Where to Shop

You can find vintage artwork of this type in local antique shops and rare book stores, as well as online. If you're looking for a great selection, consider shopping at a retailer that specializes in this area: Pitcher Plant, Nepenthes distillatoria Print

Understand the Term "Vintage"

In many cases, "vintage" can mean anything that isn't quite antique but is at least a couple of decades old. In the case of an item like botanical prints, it typically refers to the period when these items were most popular.

As you shop, you may see vintage botanical illustrations from the golden age or this art form. You may also see reproductions from the mid-20th century.

Consider a Focus

There are so many options out there that many collectors choose to focus on a specific type of plant, a dominant color, a favorite artist, or a certain folio. This allows you to display your collection as a cohesive group and gives you a goal when you're hunting for new items.

Avoid Prints With Condition Issues

According to Country Living, you should pass on illustrations with condition issues that could affect their beauty and value. Specifically, avoid any piece with brown spots or stains, evidence of trimming, or residue from glue or other adhesives.

Marriage of Art and Science

Whether you're an avid collector or you just want to decorate your walls with a piece or two, you'll love the beauty of vintage botanical art. These illustrations provide the perfect marriage between art and science. Vintage Botanical Illustrations