1483 - Botany - Botanica Specifica

Botany - Botanica Specifica Spring bouquet with liverwort, snowdrops, willow catkins, and cornelian cherry. Circa 1860. Gouache/watercolor on tinted (beige-brown) paper. Botanical still life in the form of a bound spring bouquet, consisting of flowering Hepatica nobilis (liverwort) in a rich blue, Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop), catkins of Salix caprea (goat willow) in various stages of maturity, as well as branches of Cornus mas (cornel cherry) with yellow flower clusters and closed buds. The bouquet is tied at the base with an iridescent gold-orange ribbon; the ends of the stems remain visibly exposed. The delicate, lifelike rendering of the floral morphology—particularly the characteristic three-lobed leaves of the liverwort and the velvety texture of the willow catkins — points to a skilled botanical drawing hand, as was common in the floral miniatures of the 19th century (including among the circle of floral watercolorists who created works for herbaria, pattern books, and decorative reference works). Includes: A blooming rose branch. Watercolor on vellum. 29 x 22 cm. Mounted under a mat. - Spring bouquet. 24.5 x 20 cm (viewing dimensions). Framed under glass in a stucco frame (unopened). - Slight discoloration around the edges, with occasional light spots. Overall, magnificent and richly detailed watercolors in opaque colors. Botany. - Botanical still life in the form of a bound spring bouquet, comprising flowering Hepatica nobilis (liverleaf) in vivid blue, Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop), catkins of Salix caprea (goat willow) at various stages of maturity, and sprigs of Cornus mas (cornelian cherry) with yellow flower clusters and closed buds. The bouquet is tied at its base with an iridescent gold-orange ribbon, with the stem ends left visibly exposed. The fine, naturalistic rendering of the floral morphology—in particular the characteristic three-lobed leaves of the liverleaf and the velvety texture of the willow catkins — points to a skilled botanical hand, of the kind common in nineteenth-century floral miniature painting (among others, in the circle of floral watercolorists working for herbaria, pattern books, and decorative model books). Contains: A flowering rose branch. Watercolor on vellum paper. 29 x 22 cm. Mounted under a passe-partout. - Spring bouquet. 24.5 x 20 cm (viewing size). Framed under glass in a stucco frame (unopened). - Slight light staining at the edge, occasional light foxing. Overall, splendid and richly detailed watercolors in opaque colors. This lot is subject to standard taxation. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union. This work is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints, and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.