Iris, 1773
George Dionysus Ehret was one of the most important botanical artists in an era now commonly acknowledged as ‘The Golden Age’ of illustrated botanical works (1730 - 1830); a period of unprecedented progress in the field of botanical research, interest and illustration. Theory at that time was dominated by the new systems of classification devised by Carl Linneaus, whose celebrated Systema Natura was published in 1735.
Born in Heidelberg in 1708, Ehret settled in England in 1736. It was here that he won the friendship and patronage of Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the Chelsea Physic Garden and president of the Royal Society. With Sloane's support, Ehret obtained open access not only to the Chelsea Physic Garden but also to every other important British garden. Ehret's drawings from this period provided material for his most celebrated works.
Between 1748 and 1749, Ehret published Plantae et Papilliones Rariores, focusing on exotic and decorative plants with an approach less scientific than in later works. Plantae Selectae, was published between 1750 and 1753 by Dr Trew in Nuremberg, and examined plants newly introduced into Europe with specimens from the Tropics and North America given special prominence. Engraved in Germany by Johann Jacob Hand, the plates were then hand-coloured to superb effect with some plates having paint so liberally applied that at times the engraved line beneath is totally obscured.
Throughout his career, Ehret remained an acclaimed and prolific artist. He attracted the patronage not only of Trew and Sloane, but also of the Duchess of Portland, the Duke of Richmond and countless other prominent eighteenth century figures. Today, Ehret's works stand as stunning reminders of the sumptuous nature of eighteenth century botanical illustration.
