Study of an Orchid, "Vanda Roxburgia"

James Sowerby

before 1822 · Watercolor and gouache (bodycolor) over graphite on white parchment paper · Drawings and Prints

The Sowerbys were an English family of naturalists, collectors, artists, and publishers who offered the public, amateur and professional alike, a large selection of important, original, illustrated works on natural history. James Sowerby, who drew this striking image of an orchid, founded the dynasty and is known for his illustrative work in the thirty-six volumes of James Smith's English Botany (1790-1814). For his pupils and other "Young Beginners" he wrote An Easy Introduction to Drawing Flowers according to Nature.

Artist

James Sowerby

Date

before 1822

Medium

Watercolor and gouache (bodycolor) over graphite on white parchment paper

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Museum Accession