Artwork

The Botanical Magazine or Flower Garden Displayed: Plate 929, Symphyum Asperrim. Prickley Comfrey. [Symphytum asperum]

The Botanical Magazine or Flower Garden Displayed: Plate 929, Symphyum Asperrim. Prickley Comfrey. [Symphytum asperum] is a print by the Romanticist artist Francis Sansom. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This print, Plate 929 from The Botanical Magazine or Flower Garden Displayed, depicts Symphytum asperum, or Prickly Comfrey.

Accession no.: 2005.334
Credit line: Gift of The Cleveland Museum of Art Library

About this work

Overview

This print, Plate 929 from The Botanical Magazine or Flower Garden Displayed, depicts Symphytum asperum, or Prickly Comfrey. Created in 1806 by Francis Sansom, it is now held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print showcases Symphytum asperum, highlighting its long stem, large green leaves, and small blue flowers with red centers. Some flowers have dropped, leaving behind red petals, adding a sense of naturalism to the depiction.

Technique & Style

Sansom's delicate rendering captures the plant's intricate details, including leaf veins and flower shading, conveying elegance and refinement. The light beige background allows the botanical subject to take center stage.

Context

This work is associated with the tradition of botanical illustration, which often emphasized accurate and detailed depictions of plant life.