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Gladiolus Tubatus Glayeul en Trompette
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Gladiolus Tubatus Glayeul en Trompette

Date1802-1816
Engraver de Gouy
After work by Pierre-Joseph Redoute
Publisher Pierre-Joseph Redoute
OriginEurope, France
MediumStipple and line engraving printed in color with period hand color
DimensionsFramed H: 27 1/4" Framed W: 22 1/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1993-129
DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "Gladiolus Tubatus/ Glayeul en Trompette/ P.J. Redoute pinx./ de Gouy sculp."
Label TextOften regarded as the “Raphael of Flowers,” Pierre-Joseph Redouté was born in the Belgian Ardennes in 1759. Upon his arrival in Paris, Redouté befriended L’Héritier de Broutelle, the botanist of the royal gardens of the king, who allowed him to spend his days sketching rare plants in the greenhouses. Despite his long career in France, Redouté’s work retained influence of Northern Dutch and Flemish painters.

Redoute painted all of the lilies in Josephine Bonaparte’s gardens at Malmaison. The 486 prints engraved from his paintings were published in eight folio volumes titled Les Liliacées. Although the engraving reflects the remarkable skill of the engravers, it does not match the watercolor in accuracy, luminosity, or radiance. The rich character of the vellum surface and Redouté’s mastery of drawing and coloring produced illustrations of unsurpassed delicacy and beauty.