Who painted The American Cowslip, Plate 26?

The American Cowslip, Plate 26 was painted by Thomas Warner in 1801.

Where can I see The American Cowslip, Plate 26?

The American Cowslip, Plate 26 is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The American Cowslip, Plate 26?

The American Cowslip, Plate 26 is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The American Cowslip, Plate 26

Thomas Warner , 1801

The American Cowslip, Plate 26 is a print by the Romanticist artist Thomas Warner. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1952.213
Credit line: Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland in memory of Mrs. Ralph King

About this work

If you like this, look up subject: england, late 18th-early 19th century for more plants that traveled the world.

You see a single yellow flower, an American cowslip, resting on a dark, plain background. The petals curl slightly, and the leaves fan out like tiny green hands.

This print comes from a book called The Temple of Flora, where plants were shown almost like celebrities. The artist made each one look alive, even though the book was meant for science, not just beauty. It’s strange to think of a flower as exotic back then, but this one was new to England.

If you like this, look up subject: england, late 18th-early 19th century for more plants that traveled the world.

Overview

The American Cowslip, Plate 26 is a print from The Temple of Flora, a treatise on botany illustrated with detailed and aesthetically pleasing images of plants.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a single yellow American cowslip flower against a dark background, its petals curled and leaves spread out. The image showcases the plant's features, highlighting its botanical characteristics.

Technique & Style

The artist rendered the flower in a realistic manner, capturing its texture and form. The specimen is set against a plain background, emphasizing its details and creating a sense of isolation.

Context

The Temple of Flora was commissioned by Dr. Robert John Thornton, a British botanist, to illustrate the Linnaean system of plant classification. The work reflects the growing interest in botany during the Enlightenment, driven by the discovery of new plant species from around the world.