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Hydrangea laid to rest. Imperial Crown Lily ascendant.

Hydrangea laid to rest. Imperial Crown Lily ascendant.

by Grandville, Jean-Jacques

Grandville flower lady antique print of Hydrangea (Hortensia). Symbolizing death of a queen, with a coffin, bees in attendance to pollinate the flowers, and an eagle wearing a cape with fleurs de lis is carrying a crown imperial lily to heaven.

Colour-printed engraving highlighted with gum arabic for publication in Spain c1902, from the drawing of French illustrator and caricaturist Jean-Ignace-Isidore Gérard (1803-1847) for Les Fleurs Animées (Animated Flowers), first published in Paris circa 1847.

Known as Jean-Jacques, Grandville was tutored in drawing by his father, miniature-artist Jean-Baptiste Gérard. Jean-Jacques adopted the name 'Grandville' from his father’s actor parents who were known as 'Gérard de Grandville'. Flowers were given human characters, that ranged from charming to gruesome, depending on Grandville's state of mind. Grandville acquired fame by adding animal and bird heads to people's bodies, and as here, by portraying flowers as ladies with personalities. Grandville's flower ladies were so popular, that they were reissued a number of times in the United States, Belgium, Germany and Spain.

This delightful small engraving has been mounted between 'antique white' conservation matt board and covered with cellophane for protection. Approximate window size is 140 x 100mm (5.5 x 4 inches). The external mount size for framing is 285 x 240mm (11.25 x 9.5 inches).

Stock Number: apGfl2Price: $75.00

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