Roses: Mini Archive with DVD - Softcover

This gorgeous keepsake showcases the skillful artwork of two men who dedicated their lives to botanical illustration, the Belgian Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) and his English contemporary, James Sowerby (1757-1822).

The beautiful rose plates featured within are original reproductions of drawings which came to life in England’s Kew Gardens, the Gardens of Versailles, and at the Château de Malmaison, the residence of Napoleon’s first wife. Each plate is artfully reproduced from the extraordinarily images found in Redouté’s Les Roses (1817-21) and Sowerby’s English Botany (1780-1814). A comprehensive index at the back of the book uses the artists’ original language to describe the intricacies of the rose colors, their velvety textures, and their intoxicating scents.

To bring this lovely book into the 21st century, the paperback format and low price make this rare and significant volume accessible and affordable. A DVD is also included with images of the roses to be used by readers at their discretion.

Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) was a botanical illustrator born into a family of painters in Saint-Hubert, Belgium. He was a beloved artist at the court of France, a professor of botany in Montpellier, a co-illustrator of Sertum Anglicum with James Sowerby, and the author of many botanical publications including Les Liliacées (1802–15) and Les Roses (1817-21). The three volumes of Les Roses were published in 30 installments.

James Sowerby (1757-1822) was a naturalist and illustrator born in London, England. He was the author and illustrator for several publications including British Mineralogy (1804-17), Exotic Mineralogy (1811-20), Mineral Conchology of Great Britain (1812-46), and his 36 volume work entitled English Botany (1790-1814). English Botany included 2,592 hand-colored plates and took him 23 years to complete.