William Curtis Mesembryanthemum Pinnatifidum, Jagged-Leaved Fig-Marigold c1788.

by William Curtis

Cape of Good Hope. Fig Marigold antique print c1788.

Original hand-coloured copperplate-engraving c1788 from the second volume of The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed published in London.

In 1787 when he was Praefectus Hortis (Horticultural Manager) of Chelsea Physic Garden in London, William Curtis (1746-1799) began publication of The Botanical Magazine “in response.. to solicitations for a work... (combining) Botany and Gardening”. Illustrating botanical specimens from around the world, this publication has been published continuously for nearly 240 years - now Kew Magazine. Illustrations for The Botanical Magazine have always been revered - for their scientific accuracy as well as their beauty.

This finely engraved illustration has very faint age-soiling at top and left of page. The accompanying text for this plate is also available. Size of page is approximately 240 x 140mm (9 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches).