Sharp Asmart or Water Pepper (Persicaria hydropiper) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Elisabeth Blackwell

This refined botanical engraving illustrates Sharp Asmart, commonly known as Water Pepper (Persicaria hydropiper), a slender herbaceous plant traditionally associated with wet habitats and medicinal use. The plate presents the plant in a calm, upright composition that balances descriptive clarity with visual elegance.

A central vertical stem supports narrow lanceolate leaves, while delicate flowering spikes emerge rhythmically along the upper branches. Blackwell’s restrained hand-colouring emphasizes tonal harmony rather than decorative excess, allowing the structure of the plant to remain legible and composed.

Produced in the early eighteenth century, this engraving belongs to A Curious Herbal (1737–1739), a landmark botanical publication distinguished by the rare unity of authorship, in which drawing, engraving, and colouring were executed by Elisabeth Blackwell herself.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is defined by a strong vertical axis, giving the plant a poised and architectural presence. The alternating leaves introduce gentle lateral movement, while the fine flowering spikes provide subtle points of visual interest without disturbing the overall balance.

The palette remains deliberately limited, reinforcing botanical clarity and creating a soft, understated aesthetic. A small root detail positioned separately complements the main figure, underscoring the analytical intent of the engraving while preserving visual harmony.

About the Subject

Persicaria hydropiper, known historically as sharp asmart or water pepper, was valued in early modern herbal medicine for its pungent and stimulating properties. Frequently recorded in eighteenth-century pharmacopeias, the plant was associated with remedies requiring careful dosage and accurate identification. Blackwell’s depiction reflects this practical concern: the emphasis on leaf shape, flowering habit, and root structure provides a reliable visual reference for readers navigating medicinal plants with similar growth forms. Within A Curious Herbal, water pepper exemplifies the work’s function as a dependable guide for domestic and medical use, grounded in observation rather than ornament.

Condition Report

The engraving is preserved in like brand new antique condition, printed on original handmade laid paper typical of early eighteenth-century botanical publications. No watermark is visible on the sheet. The surface remains clean and stable, with a crisp impression and fresh original hand-colouring throughout. No notable defects are present. The engraved credit “Eliz. Blackwell delin. sculp. et pinx.” is fully legible, confirming 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: None observed
• 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