Antique Botanical Hand Colored Copperplate Engraving by Henry Andrews 1809

A hand coloured copperplate engraving of flower (Lobelia) by Henry C. Andrews from 1809. Professionally matted and beautifully framed under UV glass. In overall great condition. Frame measures 23" x 29". Visible print is 10" x 16".

This wonderful, scarce botanical engraving is from Henry Andrews's The Botanist's Repository, Comprising coloured engravings of New and Rare Plants only. The work was published in London by T. Bensley for the author between 1797 and 1815. Each engraving features original hand-coloring, all of which are accredited to Andrews himself, and are printed on J. Whatman watermarked, woven paper. Andrews stated in the preface to the work that his intent was to make these prints as close to hand-colored drawings as possible. The work showcased many exotic species. It â made a contribution of lasting importance to the literature of botany and horticulture by providing records and means of identification of a great diversity of beautiful and interesting plants, many of them new to science (Quinby and Stevenson). In particular, many of the plants are native to Australia, South Africa, and America.

Henry Charles Andrews (1770 - 1830) was an English botanist, botanical artist and engraver. He lived in Knightsbridge and was married to the daughter of John Kennedy of Hammersmith, a nurseryman who assisted Andrews in the descriptions of the plants he illustrated. Andrews was not only the artist, but also engraver, colourist, and publisher in an era when most artists were only employed to draw plates. The 'Botanist's Repository' was his first publication, issued serially in London in ten volumes between 1797 and 1812.