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Jean Louis Prevost

Collection des Fleurs et des Fruits: a Set of Floral Designs

Documentation

Ample Provenance

Origin

France

Period

19th Century

Materials

Stipple engravings, printed in colour and finished by hand

Dimensions

W.	18.58 in;	H.	24.92 in;
W.	47.2 cm;	H.	63.3 cm;

Condition

Good.

Creation Date

1805

Description

Original stipple engravings by Charles-Louis Ruotte, Charles Louis) printed in colour and finished by hand. Framed and glazed, overall size: 63.3 by 47.2 cm.

Prevost came from a long line of French artists spanning 400 years. Jean-Louis himself first exhibited at the Salon when only fourteen years of age, showing paintings of bouquets, a vase of flowers and other small botanical studies. Immediately he was commissioned by Monsieur Roussel to paint the flowers in the wealthy landowner's garden. The result was a 12-volume work of gouache studies, entitled "Hortus Cellensis", and was at once acquired by the Paris Natural History Library.

Soon after he began work on his great printed work, the "Collection des Fleurs et Fruits", a series of 48 stipple engraved plates depicting bouquets and baskets of fruit. The work was engraved by the brilliant and versatile artist Charles Louis Ruotte, who had learned the new practice of coloured engraving under Bartolozzi in London. The work is known as one of the most magnificent and beautiful publications in the world of botanical art, and was used as a manual for designers of chintzes and toiles. Above all, he was a master of composition who could unerringly blend the finest hot-house specimen with the simplest bloom of field or hedgerow to produce beautiful images.

Styles / Movements

Color

Dealer Reference Number

93512

Incollect Reference Number

267787