Botanical Prints from
D'Orbigny's Dictionary of Natural History

Background:

These hand-colored Botanical prints are from the Dictionnaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle (Dictionary of Natural History) edited by the French naturalist Charles D'Orbigny (1802-1857). Regarded as one of the best illustrated encyclopedias of natural history, the Dictionary is typical of the books of this period featuring highly detailed and scientifically accurate illustrations that appeal to both the academic and general public. Other topics in the series included mammals, birds, insects, fish, etc.

Most of the Botanical prints shown here are based on illustrations by the French painter Edouard Maubert (1806-1879), a frequent contributor to botanical books as well as horticultural journals.