Bidspirit auction | Curtis - Cactus or Napoleon's

Curtis - Cactus or Napoleon's Cereus - This lovely botanical engraving is from William Curtis’s The Botanical Magazine, or Flower-Garden Displayed . Curtis was determined to produce a scientifically accurate journal, and so took care that artists used live speicmens for reference. Each plate features a meticulously drawn specimen with an accompanying descriptive text for each. The first 70 volumes (1787-mid1800s) were printed using copper etching and then finished with watercolor added by hand. Commonly referred to as Curtis' Botanical Magazine , this prolific periodical was first published in 1787 and is still in publication today by the Kew Gardens. Paper Size ~ 9” by 10 1/4” (Fold Out)