Grape vine, Chasselas noir (*Vitis vinifera*), Antique botanical print by Bessa (c.1801-1819)

French Cultivated Grapes (Chasselas violet) — A Harmonious Study with Softly Aged Tones

This original early 19th-century botanical engraving depicts Vitis vinifera as a cultivated French variety identified in the plate as Chasselas violet. The composition presents a compact cluster of dark grapes suspended beneath a broad vine leaf, arranged with clarity and balance against an open, softly toned background.

Pancrace Bessa renders the fruit in deep blue-violet and plum hues, subtly modulated with cool highlights that give the cluster a sense of weight and maturity. The leaf above, finely veined and generously proportioned, anchors the composition and reinforces its calm, classical structure.

Issued as part of Arbres et Arbustes, this plate exemplifies the measured elegance of early 19th-century botanical illustration, where cultivated varieties were recorded with equal attention to scientific accuracy and visual harmony.

— • —

Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is built around a stable vertical axis, with the grape cluster descending in a compact, unified mass. The repetition of rounded forms creates a calm rhythm, while the restrained palette avoids dramatic contrast in favour of tonal cohesion.

The softly aged tone of the paper contributes to the overall harmony of the image, lending it a warm, settled presence that complements the darker fruit and enhances the plate’s historical character.

About the Subject

The plate is identified in the original publication as a cultivated grapevine variety:

• Scientific name: Vitis vinifera
• Category: Vigne cultivée (cultivated vine)
• Variety (as printed): Chasselas violet

Chasselas varieties were widely appreciated for their balance and reliability, and this plate records the violet form with restraint, focusing on proportion, colour depth, and cultivated regularity.

Condition Report

The engraving is in very good antique condition. The paper shows a soft, uniform toning consistent with age, giving the sheet a warm, non-optical appearance. This toning does not detract from the image and contributes to its overall harmony. The hand-colouring remains well preserved. No watermark has been observed. The engraved credits “P. Bessa pinx.” and “Legrand fils sculp.” are present.

Details

• Artist: Pancrace Bessa
• Engraver: Legrand fils
• Work / Publication: Arbres et Arbustes
• Period: early 19th century (c. 1801–1819)
• Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
• Paper: Original period paper
• Watermark: None observed
• Sheet size: approx. 40 × 25 cm

For insight into Pancrace Bessa’s distinctive hand-colouring techniques, see our editorial feature on Pancrace Bessa:

Pancrace Bessa: the Naturalist Painter of Botanical Grace