Der Wintergarten in der Kaiserlichen Königlichen Hofburg zu Wien

Vienna: Mekhitarist Fathers and Johann Rauh, 1852. Oblong folio. (16 5/8 x 22 1/4 inches). [6] I-VI [1] 2-11 [12] 12 plates [2]. 12 hand-colored lithographic plates by Czerny after Antoine, printed by Johann Rauh, 11 of which are preceded by a prepared transparent guard leaf on which the name of the plant depicted in the following plate is strategically printed. Lithographic dedication with integral blindstamped coat-of-arms. Contemporary blue velvet gilt.

Provenance: Bookplate of Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, crowned Gothic letter 'E', c. 1870s confirmed by comparable book plate in the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek

A rare botanical work on the plants growing in the vast greenhouse complex ("Wintergarten") at the Hofburg palace in Vienna.

The Hofburg palace in Vienna was the main residence of the ruling Habsburg family for over 600 years. In the 19th century it underwent a renaissance during the reigns of Emperor Franz Joseph I (1848-1916) and Empress Elisabeth (1837-1898), but it was in the early part of the century that the spectacular "Wintergarten" complex was built. Franz Antoine records the exterior (1 view) and interior sights as they were over a series of two winters, in 1849/1850 and 1850/1851: long enough after the establishment of the Wintergarten for the trees and shrubs to have matured. The interior views are prefaced by a single exterior scene of the complex in mid-winter. The 11 interior views are each accompanied by a tissue guard that has been printed with the names of the various plants shown, and treated with varnish to make the guards more transparent. In addition, the plates are described on the first five pages of text. The remaining 11 pp. of text is devoted to general botanical information about the plants and plant families that were grown in the Wintergarten. Antoine, the son of horticulturalist Franz de Paula Antoine (1768-1834), was born in Austria and served as director of the Schönbrunn gardens near Vienna. A gifted artist, as the present work demonstrates, he was also the author of a number of other botanical works (on conifers, the cyprus family, and bromeliads). He dedicated the present work to His Imperial Highness Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph (1832-1867), Archduke of Austria, a keen botanist who was later crowned Emperor of Mexico. Interestingly, the title notes that any profit from the sale of this work was to be given to the charitable "Fonde der Radetzky-, Jellacic- und Welden-Invalidenstiftungen," charitable groups dedicated to those with disabilities.

BM (NH) I, p.53; Nissen BBI 44. [Book plate identification:] Christian Maryska, "Kaiserin Elisabeths Reisehandbücher," Österreich-Ungarische Städteführer, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, July 22, 2020.