Nature Printed Ferns
Sepia Nature Prints
Sepia Nature Prints
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Constantion von Ettinghausen and Alois Pokorn Physiotypia Plantarum Austriacarum Der Naturselbstdruck . . . der Pflanzen Vienna: 1856 Sepia nature prints on paper 22 1/2 x 14 inches each $600 each |
| The most spectacular method of nature printing was perfected in Vienna in the mid 19th Century and employed in this fine and rare set of nature printings. Under tremendous pressure, a dried, flattened plant was pressed between two lead plates, leaving an impression of each illustrated plant (the leaves and stalks, often with roots and flowers) in lead. This was transferred by electrotype to a copper plate and reverse cast to make an intaglio plate for printing. This series was printed in sepia ink. Ferns were fashionable decorative motifs in the Victorian era, when these were produced. The prints combine a scientific precision by capturing an exact impression of the plant, but are arranged by the nature printer in an artistic way that captures the natural beauty of the lines and details of each specimen. In a sense, nature itself provides the artistic detail as revealed through the nature printing medium. A group of four of the nature prints from this series were loaned by George Glazer Gallery to the Martha Stewart Living television program, where they appeared on the set in Fall 1999. This set has been called "[t]he most important work produced by nature printing ever published." The plates were produced by Alois Auer in the mid 19th Century. Nature printing captures the finest details of plant and root structures. However, it was extremely expensive, and no other significant nature printed botanical works have since been published. References: Nissen BBI 613; Stafleu & Cowen 1723. |
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