Jasminum ramo uniflore, pleno, petalis coriaceis [Pl. XV]

Book Description

[London]: 1759. Engraving, coloured by hand, by Ehret. 18 1/2 x 12 5/8 inches. Extremely rare: a very fine image by the greatest of all 18th century botanical artists. This plate is from the only engraved work produced and published by Ehret himself, 'Plantae et papilliones rariores' The Gardenia or Cape Jasmine (Gardenia augusta) is native to southern China, Taiwan, Japan and nearby regions of the subtropical eastern hemisphere. The common name Cape Jasmine comes from the mistaken idea that the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa was the Gardenia's homeland. Also, as the title of the present work demonstrates, it was initially assumed to be a member of the Jasmine family. The present image is from Ehret's Plantae et papilliones rariores (London, 1748-1759). It was published by subscription in very small numbers, consisted of 15 plates without title or text and is the only work where Ehret carried out his own engraving. The present plate is representative of Ehret at the height of his powers: his 'approach was a fine compromise between that of the artist and that of the scientist: he did not slavishly imitate what he saw nor did he allow his feeling for colour and design to distract him unduly from the fundamentals of plant structure. Artists and botanists alike, therefore, join in praising his work... he has... his own peculiar qualities - a sureness of touch, vigour of handling, and an unerring instinct for design' (Blunt & Stearn pp.164-166). Cf. Calmann pp.93-4; cf. Dunthorne 109; cf. Great Flower Books (1990), p.93; cf. Henrey III, 677; cf. Nissen BBI 583; cf. An Oak Spring Flora 50; cf. Pritzel 2641; cf. Stafleu & Cowan TL2 1644.

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