William Curtis hand-coloured antique print of Centaurea (Woad) c1789.

by Curtis, William

William Curtis Woad-leaved Centaurea Glastifolia c1789. Blue Dye is made from Woad leaves.

Original hand-coloured copperplate engraving for The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed published in London circa 1789 by William Curtis. Illustrations for Curtis's Botanical Magazine" have been revered for their scientific accuracy, and the natural pigments used in the early engravings have survived over two hundred years, ensuring their beauty endures today. 

Publication of The Botanical Magazine was begun in 1787 by William Curtis (1746-1799) Praefectus Hortis of Chelsea Physic Garden in London, “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 222 years, - now as The Kew Magazine.

Size of page 23 x 15cm (9 x 6 inches). There is a very faint mark on image at left. Accompanying text is available.