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

by Curtis, William

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 over 230 years. It is now known as The 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).