French flower painter Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759 - 1840) devoted himself exclusively to
capturing the diversity of flowering plants in watercolor paintings which were then published
as copper engravings with careful botanical descriptions. The darling of wealthy Parisian
patrons including Napoleon's wife Josephine he was dubbed the Raphael of flowers and is
regarded to this day as a master of botanical illustration. This elegant catalogue brings
together all engravings from Redouté's illustrations of Roses and Choix des plus belles fleurs
et quelques branches des plus beaux fruits (Selection of the Most Beautiful Blooms and Branches
with the Finest Fruits) and the most astounding images from The Lilies. Offering a vibrant
overview of Redouté's admixture of accuracy and beauty it is also a privileged glimpse into
the magnificent gardens and greenhouses of a bygone Paris.
