Description
The corresponding description of the plate begins as follows: “La Lindenia a déjà publié l’année dernière, dans neuf planches, un choix des formes les plus remarquables de ce groupe extraordinaire de Catasetum qui s’est révélé brusquement dans les importations effectuées par les collecteurs de L’Horticulture Internationale.” [Lindenia was published last year, with new plates, a selection of the most remarkable forms of the extraordinary group of Catasetum, which suddenly revealed itself among the imports made by the collectors of the Horticulture International.]
Taken from Iconographie des Orchidées, also known as “Lindenia” after its creator, Jean-Jules Linden. Originally issued as a periodical which was completed at 17 volumes in 1903 with 813 plates, it remains one of the greatest and most comprehensive sets of prints of orchid species from the Victorian era, with color plates of the highest quality, illustrated and lithographed by some of the best botanical artists of the period.
During the late Victorian era, when orchidomania spread throughout Europe, Jean-Jules Linden and his son Lucien (1853-1940) were renowned commercial orchid growers in Belgium, then a center of orchid cultivation. Linden spent his twenties travelling throughout South and Central America in search of new species. Upon his return to Belgium he established his plant nursery where he and his son are credited with having collected specimens of over a thousand orchid species as well as breeding new hybrids. Each orchid in Iconographie des Orchidées is represented by a full-color chromolithograph followed by two or more pages of text by Linden, his son, or one of a number of contributors. The plates were printed by some of the best botanical lithographers of the period including Severeyns and de Pannemaeker, from illustrations by Alfred Goosens and other top botanical artists. The periodical was eventually completed in 17 volumes in 1903 with 813 plates.
Pieter De Pannemaeker was a prolific watercolor artist and engraver active in Gand, Belgium, in the 19th century. He specialized in landscapes and botanicals and contributed to many periodicals and publications at a time when Belgium was a center for botanical publishing. His credits include art and engraving for Lindenia and L’Illustration Horticole.
Condition: Generally very good, the colors bright, with only minor toning, soiling, soft creases, occasional marginal foxing. Center fold as issued.
References:
Bénézit, E. Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs. France: Librairie Gründ, 1966. Vol 6, p. 503. (De Pannemaeker)
Great Flower Books. 1990. p. 160.
Nissen BBI 2348.
Stafleu & Cowan TL2 4628.
Timby. The Orchid Observed. Stanford: 1982. Plate 27.
