Original Antique Botanical Watercolor and Ink Painting by A. G. Weiss Circa 1865

Description

A beautiful original antique botanical painting or drawing in watercolor and ink by Adolf G. Weiss. Presented in archival French … more A beautiful original antique botanical painting or drawing in watercolor and ink by Adolf G. Weiss. Presented in archival French matte and a contemporary frame. These botanicals were completed circa 1862 to 1872 representing specimens from the botanical garden at Lemberg which is now L'viv, Ukraine. Each drawing is on laid, watermarked paper and many feature the Linnaeus binomial classifications. It is easy to believe Weiss had intended his collection for publication due to the exacting detail and precision.
Please view our other works from this series framed the same so that they can be presented in groupings.
The drawings are of extraordinary quality and render the plant in flower with anatomical details. It was said of Weiss's ability: "... die seltene Meisterschaft in der Handhabung von Pinsel und Feder macht die Abbildungen... zu den auch künstlerisch vollendesten, die wir besitzen (... the rare mastery and use of the brush and pen make [his] illustrations the most artistically accomplished we have). (Oesterr. Bot. Zeitschrift, 1884)

Adolf Weiss (1837-1894) was born at Freiwaldau, Silesia and became the pre-eminent Austrian botanist of his day. He studied botany at the University of Vienna. He served as the director of the botanic garden at Lemberg. He also founded the first institute of plant physiology in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. There is little left of his work in Lemberg now, so this illustration is a beautiful testament to his legacy.
Dimensions ~ 5 1/2" by 8 5/8" overall framed size 13" x 16" Medium Original Pen & Wash Drawing
Date 1862-1872 Condition Report. The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. less