What Are Botanical Prints?

Botanical prints are illustrations of plants created using methods such as engraving, etching, or lithography. Many were later hand-colored, which gave each print a slightly different appearance even when reproduced from the same plate. These works were made with accuracy in mind, showing the structure and features of a plant in detail. Their purpose was twofold: they provided reliable information for scientists and botanists, and they were valued as decorative works of art.

A Brief Historical Path

erbarium; De herbis feminis, Apuleius; Pseudo-Dioscorides; (joint authorship) c.1190-1200 Credit: The British Miseum

From Herbals to the Printing Press

The earliest botanical illustrations appeared in herbals; manuscripts that recorded plants used in medicine. Ancient Greek and Roman writers described useful herbs, but during the Middle Ages, monks began combining these texts with illustrations. The invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century expanded the reach of these works. Herbalists such as Leonhart Fuchs produced books that combined text and precise drawings, making them both scientific references and attractive printed volumes.

Kuchenschell, Leonhart Fuchs, 1512. Credit: Library of the Botanical Garden of the University of Padova

The Golden Age (1600s–1800s)

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, European exploration introduced many new plants from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This period is often called the golden age of botanical illustration. Artists including Maria Sibylla Merian, Pierre-Joseph Redouté, and Georg Dionysius Ehret created highly detailed works that were valued by both scientists and collectors. Advances in engraving and lithography allowed wider distribution, while hand-coloring ensured that each print still carried some individuality.

Coral Bean Tree with Giant Silkworm from The Insects of Surinam,  Maria Sibylla Merian. Credit: Getty Research Institute

 

Rosa Centifolia: Rosier à cent feuilles, P.J. Redouté, c. 1817-1924 Credit: The Rosarian Library

 

Haemanthhs, Georg Dionysius Ehret, c.1750-1773 Credit: The National Gallery of Arr

Modern Shifts

In the twentieth century, photography began to replace illustration as the main way to document plants. While photography was more precise for scientific purposes, the artistic appeal of traditional botanical prints remained strong. Museums, collectors, and designers continue to preserve and display them, and digital printing now allows inexpensive reproductions for decoration and study.

Selected Florilegium Plate XI, Flowers in a Bottle, Dirck De Bray, 1674. Restored by Roshad Brown of Archive of Arcane Air / Plumb Ritual (2025)

Botanical Prints as Science and Art

Botanical prints have always had both practical and artistic functions. As art, they were admired for their design and often carried symbolic meaning: roses, lilies, and orchids were linked to ideas such as love, purity, or social status. As scientific tools, they were the most accurate way to record plants before photography. Doctors, botanists, and educators relied on them to classify and identify species, especially in medical and academic contexts.

Techniques and Styles

The appearance of a botanical print often depended on the technique used. Engravings and etchings provided fine structural detail. Lithography made it easier to produce smooth images and larger editions. Many prints were hand-colored after printing, making each copy slightly different. Today, digital reproductions continue the tradition in a more affordable form.

 

 

Famous Botanical Print Artists

Across centuries, many artists have shaped the development of botanical prints, combining scientific accuracy with artistic skill. Some of the most influential figures include:

Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717) 

German artist renowned for her detailed depictions of insect life cycles alongside their host plants, pioneering a more ecological approach to botanical art.

Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1766–1854)

French master often called the “Raphael of Flowers,” best known for his exquisite rose and lily illustrations commissioned by royal patrons.

Margaret Mee (1909–1998)

British artist and explorer who documented Amazonian flora, using her work to highlight the importance of rainforest preservation.

Marianne North (1830–1890)

British traveler and painter who created hundreds of botanical works from 17 countries, many of which remain on display at Kew Gardens.

Walter Hood Fitch (1817–1892)

 Scottish illustrator known for his exceptional draughtsmanship and contributions to major Victorian botanical publications.

Elizabeth Blackwell (1707–1758)

Produced A Curious Herbal, an influential illustrated reference focused on medicinal plants.

Georg Dionysius Ehret (1708–1770)

German artist who played a key role in developing the scientific style of botanical illustration during the Linnaean era.

Anne Pratt (1806–1893)

English illustrator who popularized botany through more than twenty widely read books.

Trailblazers of Color

More recent history has brought greater recognition to artists of color who expanded and diversified the field of botanical art.

George Washington Carver 

(1860s–1943): Before becoming a pioneering agricultural scientist, Carver began his career as a botanical illustrator, producing accurate drawings of plants he studied.

Sibonelo Chiliza (born 1979)

South African botanical artist known for vibrant, scientifically precise drawings made from live specimens, offering new representation of African flora.

Liberty Shuro (born 1996)

 Contemporary botanical artist whose work contributes to the ongoing evolution and inclusivity of the field.

 

Notable Mentions

Alongside these figures, several other artists made lasting contributions:

Mark Catesby (1683–1749)

English naturalist whose illustrations of North American plants also depicted ecological relationships.

Arthur Harry Church (1865–1937):

Botanist and illustrator known for his focus on plant morphology.

Pandora Sellars (1936–2017)

Widely regarded as one of the great contemporary botanical artists, celebrated for her accuracy and artistry.

Collecting Botanical Prints Today

Collectors look for signs of authenticity, such as faint plate marks, high-quality paper, and irregularities in hand-coloring. Condition is also important, since sunlight and moisture can damage older prints. Prices vary widely: some can be purchased for a few hundred dollars, while rare examples by well-known artists such as Redouté may sell for thousands at auction.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Are botanical prints and illustrations the same?

Illustrations are original works; prints are reproductions made from them.

Why were botanical prints scientifically important?

 They provided accurate records of plants before photography existed.

How can I tell if a print is antique

? Look for paper texture, plate marks, and uneven brushstrokes from hand-coloring. Modern reproductions are usually smoother and more uniform.

Why is Redouté well known?

His prints combined scientific accuracy with fine artistic skill, especially in his rose studies.

Are botanical prints still used in decoration?

 Yes, they are popular in vintage, cottage, and minimalist interiors.

Where can I see original prints?

Museums such as the British Museum and many botanical gardens have collections on display.

Conclusion

Botanical prints have served both science and art for centuries. They helped early botanists classify and record species, and at the same time they became decorative works valued for their beauty. From medieval herbals to modern reproductions, they represent a lasting tradition that connects knowledge of plants with artistic expression.

Resources

For anyone interested in studying, viewing, or collecting botanical prints, a number of museums, institutions, and auction houses provide excellent access points:

Museums and Gardens

The British Museum (London): Holds one of the most significant collections of historical botanical prints. 

The Natural History Museum (London): Extensive botanical illustrations tied to scientific exploration.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London): Home to the Marianne North Gallery and important archives of botanical art.

The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation (Pittsburgh, USA): Dedicated to preserving botanical illustration across centuries.

New York Botanical Garden (USA): Hosts exhibitions and houses a vast botanical library.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Scotland): Important center for botanical research and illustration archives.

Los Angeles Resources

The Getty Research Institute (Los Angeles): Holds rare botanical manuscripts, prints, and early natural history books.

Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (San Marino, CA): Combines a vast botanical garden with an exceptional collection of rare botanical books and illustrations.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (LA): While broader in scope, its archives include botanical and natural history illustration relevant to the field.

Institutions and Archives

Smithsonian Libraries (Washington, D.C.): Includes rare botanical manuscripts and prints.

Linnaean Society of London: Archives containing botanical illustrations linked to Carl Linnaeus and his circle.

Missouri Botanical Garden (USA): Maintains a collection of botanical books and illustrations, particularly strong in historical herbals.

Auction Houses

For collectors, major international auction houses often feature botanical prints:

Sotheby’s and Christie’s (London, New York, and international locations) regularly include botanical art and rare books in their auctions.

Bonhams (London and New York) also handles sales of botanical works, often at more accessible price points.

These resources together offer opportunities to view masterpieces in person, consult specialized archives, or even purchase authentic prints at auction. They form the bridge between the historical legacy of botanical prints and their continued relevance in today’s art and science communities.

For readers interested in seeing how historical botanical prints can be preserved and appreciated today, please take a moment to browse the restorations I have completed. They show how careful attention can return these works to their original detail and clarity while honoring their history. Link below:

https://plumbritual.com/collections/archive-of-arcane-air