Raspberry Bush (Rubus idaeus) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Elisabeth Blackwell

This refined botanical engraving depicts the Raspberry Bush (Rubus idaeus), presenting a fruiting branch with crisp botanical clarity and a lively yet controlled visual rhythm.

Rendered with scientific restraint and precise observation, the serrated leaves and slender stems support clusters of ripening berries arranged for immediate readability. Blackwell’s approach privileges legibility and proportion, allowing flower and fruit to be understood at a glance while preserving an understated decorative elegance.

Created in the early eighteenth century, this plate belongs to A Curious Herbal, a foundational medical and botanical work distinguished by the unity of its production, in which drawing, copper engraving, and hand-colouring were executed by the same hand.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition rises along a slender central axis, branching outward to distribute foliage and fruit with measured spacing. Repeated berry clusters create points of emphasis that guide the eye through the plant’s vertical progression without overwhelming the structure.

Subtle tonal transitions model the leaves with depth and texture, while the restrained hand-colouring of the raspberries introduces a vivid yet balanced chromatic accent. The contrast between deep greens and clear reds gives the image a crisp, graphic presence while maintaining botanical clarity.

About the Subject

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) was widely recorded in early European herbals for both domestic usefulness and apothecary practice. The fruit was valued for household preparations, while leaves were commonly associated with mild astringent remedies and practical infusions. Because many brambles share a similar habit, accurate depiction of the berry clusters, leaf form, and flowering habit was essential for reliable identification in medical reference works. Its inclusion in A Curious Herbal reflects the need for clear visual documentation of familiar plants whose everyday use depended on confident recognition rather than formal taxonomy.

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 on the sheet, bearing the mark 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 legible throughout. These qualities correspond to 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