Botanical Engraving
by Sir John Hill

 

Handcolored Botanical Copperplate Engraving

From "Eden: Or a Complete Body of Gardening" published in London in 1757.

"Eden" is considered one of the most beautiful 18th century botanical books. It was illustrated by a variety of artists including the famous Dutch flower painter Van Huysum.

This is an original 18th Century engraving on fine old chainlinked paper.

This sheet shows the following flowers: The True Acanthus, Red Plumeria, Pear Fruited Solomon, Yellow fruited Mormordica, The Musk Hibiscus, Golden Poinciana.

The sheet is lightly browned. There are a few faint spots.

John Hill was a multifaceted and intriguing figure who is believed to have been born in Peterborough, England in 1716. He first studied as an apothecary and traveled across England in search of herbs for his shop. He was a prolific writer, producing not only scientific works but also plays and novels and even worked as an actor for a time. His works were often controversial, involving him in disputes with other well-known figures of his time. He had a medical degree from Edinburgh and created and sold a variety of herbal medicines, but was accused of being a quack.

In additional to "Eden" he also published an extensive botanical study entitled The Vegetable System for which he was awarded the Order of Vasa by the King of Sweden.