Orchids Gallery

Brassavola perinii, 1840

Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Walter Hood Fitch, 1840. Artwork from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, (serie 2) volume 13 plate 3761. Curtis's Botanical Magazine is the longest running botanical periodical featuring colour illustrations of plants and has been published continuously since 1787

© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

1787, 1840, 19th Century, 3761, Art, Biology, Botanical, Botanical Illustration, Botanical Magazine, Botanicals, Botany, Brassavola, Brassavola Perrinii, Curtis, Curtis S, Fitch, Flower, Flowerhead, Flowering, Green, Hand Coloured, Illustration, Kew, Kew Gardens, Lithograph On Paper, Orchid, Orchidaceae, Orchids, Plant, Plant Portrait, Plant Structure, Plate 3761, Serie 2, Spring, Summer, T 3761, Vertical, Vol 13, Volume 13, W, Walter Hood Fitch, White

Aerides quinquevulnera, 1838

Original drawing for plate XXX in John Lindley's Sertum orchidaceum: a wreath of the most beautiful orchidaceous flowers; selected by John Lindley, published in 1838. Illustration shows part monochromatic, part colour study of leaves, roots and flowers. Drawing inscribed by Drake across top edge, Thick, fleshy, bright green leaves, veins indistinct - use German blue for the green & a little body colour to give a waxy effect['] Aug 8.1839'. Also inscribed by Drake Cuming's...[']'. Several creases on drawing as a result of being poorly mounted. Also inscribed lower left corner in different hand Rec'd Sept. 15 1925'. According to Lindley, Mr Hugh Cuming, who has been passing some time in the Philippines, and who has investigated the Botany of those rich islands with great zeal and industry, sent the plant now published to Messrs. Loddiges: with whom it flowered in August last'. This date corresponds with Drake's inscription (Lindley's publication was printed as ten fascicles beginning in 1838) The reference to German blue probably means a colour close to Prussian blue, which was used as a dye to colour German military uniforms at the time

© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew