Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

The "Madonna Lily," or "Lilium candidum," featured in Pierre Joseph Redouté's "Choix des plus belles fleurs" (1827) is a masterful botanical illustration that captures the elegance and purity of the flower in remarkable detail. The painting showcases a stem bearing several large, trumpet-shaped white lilies in varying stages of bloom. Each petal is meticulously rendered, exhibiting soft gradients of white that convey their delicate, silky texture. The petals have subtle striations and a slight curl at the edges, adding to their lifelike quality. The central stamens and pistil are highlighted with pale yellow and green tones, providing a realistic contrast to the white petals.

The leaves of the Madonna Lily are long, lanceolate, and gracefully arching. Redouté captures their lush green hue with a nuanced palette that highlights the light and shadow playing across their surfaces. The composition is both scientifically precise and aesthetically pleasing, capturing the ethereal beauty of the lily while maintaining botanical accuracy.

Redouté's use of watercolor on vellum allows for fine detail and a luminous quality that enhances the painting's delicate realism. The subtle background, devoid of unnecessary distractions, ensures that the focus remains squarely on the plant, showcasing its natural splendor.

Information about the Original Painting and the Artist:

Pierre Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) was a renowned Belgian painter and botanist, celebrated for his exquisite botanical illustrations. He is often referred to as "the Raphael of flowers" and is best known for his work on roses, lilies, and other flowering plants. Redouté’s career spanned the late 18th and early 19th centuries, during which he worked under the patronage of both Queen Marie Antoinette and Empress Josephine Bonaparte. His works were pivotal during a period when botanical illustration was essential for scientific classification and understanding of plants.

The illustrations found in "Choix des plus belles fleurs" ("Selection of the Most Beautiful Flowers"), including the "Madonna Lily," are considered some of Redouté’s finest achievements. This particular collection marks a high point in his career, combining his artistic skill with his deep knowledge of botany.

The original watercolor of the "Madonna Lily" is part of the extensive collection of Redouté’s works. While specific information on the exact location of each individual painting can vary, many of his works, including those from "Choix des plus belles fleurs," are housed in prestigious institutions such as the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, France. Other pieces reside in various museums and private collections around the world.

Redouté's contributions were instrumental in bridging the gap between art and science, making botanical illustration not only a tool for scientific documentation but also an art form appreciated for its beauty and precision. His works continue to inspire both botanists and artists, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest botanical illustrators in history.