A Collection of Flowers Drawn from Nature: Large Double China Aster

1798

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

A Collection of Flowers Drawn from Nature: Large Double China Aster is a 1798 by John Edwards, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: John Edwards
When & what style?: 1798 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting shows a detailed drawing of a Large Double China Aster flower. It's drawn from nature, which was a common practice back then. The artist paid close attention to the flower's details. The flower is colored with pale printer's ink, which helps keep the delicate watercolor visible. This technique makes the flower look very realistic. Check out the work at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

The story of this work

Overview

Edwards was one of the best botanical draftsmen of the 18th century. Large Double China Aster is from a superb and extremely rare book with 77 plates illustrating a variety of beautiful flowers. The coloring is particularly fine owing to the use of pale printer’s ink that does not interfere with the delicacy of the watercolor.

Read the full account in the museum source.