Description
Camellias-family-theaceae-genus-camellia6. Published 1855 for Ambroise Verschaffelt’s Nouvelle Iconographie. Camellia Rapellino is a decorative 19th century watercolor lithograph. Ready to frame.
Camellias-family-theaceae-genus-camellia6 – Ambroise Verschaffelt’s Nouvelle Iconographie des Camellias
This antique lithograph published 1854-1855 in Ghent, Belgium. It was a monumental work that Ambroise Verschaffelt’s published. It was entitled Nouvelle Iconographie des Camellias. Vershaffelt ran the world’s premier camellia nursery. Furthermore many of the illustrations were from his own nursery’s specimens. Firstly he was an orchid hunter. Later in life he became the publisher of this fine work.
Gardens were a popular status symbol by the mid 1800’s. Newly discovered and propagated species of this woody bush were an exciting addition to growers around Western Europe. Camellia gardeners wanted to learn about as much as they could about the subject of family-theraceae-genus-camellia. Nouvelle Iconographie des Camellias served as an encyclopedia of the subject. The series was profusely illustrated with lifelike specimen watercolor lithographs. This drove business to Vershaffelt’s nursery. And for a copy of his revered work.
Watercolor Lithography: a 19th Century antique printing method.
Lithography is an antique printing method. The technique was extensively utilized during the 1800’s. (It was replaced by color lithography, or printing in colors with limestone plates). Generally a lithograph was printed in one color, black. A type of greasy crayon was used to draw onto a special type of limestone, with just the right porosity. After the image was completed, the limestone was emerged into nitric acid. That burns away what was not under the greasy crayon. Leaving that portion of limestone in relief. The plate was inked up and printed onto paper.
Watercolor lithography was utilized in the 1830’s through the 1860’s had an additional step. Printed from a limestone (lithograph) plate and literally enhanced by hand with watercolors. It is the water coloring is what makes these antique camellia prints practically jump off of the page.
Further information about this antique camellia print:
Camellia Rapellino was published 1855 for Ambroise Verschaffelt’s Nouvelle Iconographie. A decorative watercolor lithograph. There is slight toning to the paper coming from the tissue guards. Please inspect the photo carefully. Measurements: 6 1/2 x 10.″ Furthermore each piece will frame up beautifully to 11×14″ or 12×16.” Call Anne at 413-245-4197 with your order. Or buy now with a click of the button. You can also find a large collection by going to our main page.
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Find out more about Camellias at the ACS American Camellia Society
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