The Library of Henry Rogers Broughton, 2nd Baron Fairhaven Part II
The Library of Henry Rogers Broughton, 2nd Baron Fairhaven Part II
Auction Closed
November 29, 03:25 PM GMT
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin
Icones plantarum rariorum. Vienna: printed for Christian Friedrich Wappler; London: B. White & Son; Leiden: S.&J. Luchtmans; Strassburg: A. König [König imprint in first volume only], 1781-1793[-1795]
3 volumes, folio (485 x 295mm.), 649 fine hand-coloured engraved plates, after and by Franz Bauer, Ferdinand Bauer Joseph Hoffbauer, and Joseph Scharf contemporary half calf rebacked, spines with raised bands in nine compartments, leaves uncut, boards rubbed
VERY RARE.
The beauty and reputation of Icones Plantarum Rariorum is founded on the engravings by the brothers Bauer. Jacquin was the first botanist to recognize the talent of Franz and Ferdinand and engaged them both for this project. "From Jacquin or [Father Norbert] Boccius or both they learned that botanical draughtsmanship demands understanding of the plant figured, even down to minute detail, as well as its portrayal with accuracy and grace…Under such supervision they became accustomed to precise observation and developed superb techniques of drawing and colouring. Jacquin himself was an able botanical artist but his teaching and administrative duties gave him no time for illustrating plants except in correspondence with Sir Joseph Banks's librarian Jonas Dryander" (Stewart & Stearn, The Orchid Paintings of Franz Bauer, London 1993, p. 9). After the Bauers perfected their skills under Jacquin, Ferdinand worked on the Flora Graeca under John Sibthorp, and Franz was enticed by Sir Joseph Banks to become the resident artist at Kew Gardens. The plates were issued—without regard to the order later assigned to them—in fascicles of 25, apart from the final part issued in 1795, which contained 74 engravings.
LITERATURE:
Dunthorne 153; Great Flower Books, p. 61; Nissen BBI 974; Pritzel 4368; Stafleu TL2 3251
PROVENANCE:
Bought from Charles W. Traylen, Guildford, Surrey