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Elizabeth Blackwell was the artist and engraver of A
Curious Herbal in 1737-1739, conceived to raise
money when her husband was imprisoned for setting up in
the printing business without serving the required
apprenticeship. She recognized the need for a
definitive herbal and began working close to the Chelsea
Physic Garden, with its abundant gardens full of
beautiful flowers and herbs. Unusual for the time, she
also engraved and hand-colored her own prints single
handedly instead of using the three separate craftsmen
customary at the time - a botanical illustrator, an
engraver and a painter. Elizabeth Blackwell was truly a pioneer
in every way, as Herbals were very rare at the time.
Her husband helped from prison and the book was a
financial success, but sadly he was soon in more trouble and
was executed in Sweden in 1747 for high treason.
Elizabeth Blackwell died in obscurity in 1758. Her work of some
500 plates is a jewel of artistry and a testament to the
fortitude, industry and entrepreneurship of a truly
modern woman.
This work was reissued in enlarged form with re-engraved plates in Germany in 1757 by Jacob Trew, and it
is from this folio edition of Herbarium Selectum
Emendatum et Auctum that we are pleased to offer a
selection of these marvelous antique prints. Each print measures approximately 9 1/2 inches wide by
14 1/2 inches long. They are beautifully hand colored
engraved plates with very vivid coloration. ALL our
prints are original antiques, and are guaranteed to be
the stated age. |