Yellow Asphodel (Asphodelus) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Elisabeth Blackwell

This elegant botanical engraving depicts Yellow Asphodel, historically known as King’s Spear, rendered with a commanding vertical presence that emphasizes both structural clarity and natural vitality.

The plant is presented with remarkable precision: long, sinuous leaves unfold in rhythmic arcs around a dominant flowering spike. Elisabeth Blackwell’s treatment prioritizes legibility and botanical accuracy, while allowing the composition to retain a graceful, almost sculptural movement rooted in direct observation.

Created in the early eighteenth century, this plate forms part of A Curious Herbal, a foundational medical and botanical reference distinguished by its unified authorship, in which drawing, copper engraving, and hand-colouring were all executed by the same hand.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is anchored by a strong vertical axis, with the flowering head rising decisively above the surrounding foliage. The elongated leaves curve outward and downward in measured lines, creating a dynamic contrast between firmness and fluidity.

Subtle tonal gradations model the surfaces with depth, while the restrained hand-colouring enhances the plant’s architectural clarity. The exposed root system, carefully delineated, reinforces the engraving’s dual function as both a scientific reference and a visually compelling image.

About the Subject

In early European herbals, Yellow Asphodel (Asphodelus) was valued for its unmistakable form and its practical relevance in medical and domestic contexts. The plant’s tall flowering spike and distinctive root system made it easily recognizable, an essential quality at a time when physicians and apothecaries relied on visual identification rather than standardized taxonomy. Its inclusion in A Curious Herbal reflects the importance of clearly documenting plants whose usefulness depended on accurate recognition, particularly those associated with traditional remedies and household practice rather than ornamental cultivation.

Condition Report

The engraving is in exceptionally fine antique condition, printed on original handmade laid paper typical of early 18th-century botanical publications. A period watermark is visible at the center of the sheet, bearing the mark and initials of the paper mill, consistent with contemporary papermaking practices. The surface remains fresh and stable, with no notable defects. The original hand-colouring is particularly well preserved, and the impression is crisp and clear throughout. These qualities are consistent with a “like brand new” state of preservation and confirm the authenticity of the print as an original production from A Curious Herbal. The engraved credit “Eliz. Blackwell delin. sculp. et pinx.” is present and fully legible, attesting that the drawing, engraving, and hand-colouring were executed by Elisabeth Blackwell herself.

Details

• Artist: Elisabeth Blackwell
• Work / Publication: A Curious Herbal
• Period: 1737–1739
• Technique: Original copper engraving, drawn, engraved, and hand-colored by Elisabeth Blackwell
• Paper: Original handmade laid paper
• Watermark: Period watermark visible
• Sheet size: approx. 37 × 22 cm

For further context on Elisabeth Blackwell and the singular unity of authorship behind A Curious Herbal, see our editorial feature:

Elisabeth Blackwell – A Curious Herbal