.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The London doctor W. Pitcairn (1711-1791) gave the name to this plant. A terrestrial herb native to the West Indies, the Long-leaved Pitcairnia was first introduced into England in 1777.
This and the following lot were part of an album called Les Liliacées bought by Empress Joséphine, wife of Emperor Napoleon, directly from the artist. The volumes were inherited in 1814 by her son, Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, who took them to Germany following the fall of Napoleon. Redouté worked for Joséphine from 1798 and was responsible for recording her plant collection. Les Liliacées was one of his most important works and was published under Joséphine's patronage.
Included in the lot is the vellum page from the original album that gives the text accompanying Redouté's image.
This and the following lot were part of an album called Les Liliacées bought by Empress Joséphine, wife of Emperor Napoleon, directly from the artist. The volumes were inherited in 1814 by her son, Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, who took them to Germany following the fall of Napoleon. Redouté worked for Joséphine from 1798 and was responsible for recording her plant collection. Les Liliacées was one of his most important works and was published under Joséphine's patronage.
Included in the lot is the vellum page from the original album that gives the text accompanying Redouté's image.