Wheat (Triticum) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Elisabeth Blackwell

This elegant botanical engraving depicts Wheat (Triticum), including both a standard form and a bearded variety, presented with clarity and restraint. The plate illustrates the grain-bearing stems alongside detailed views of the seed, offering a concise and authoritative representation of one of the most fundamental cultivated plants in human history.

Slender stalks rise with quiet balance, each crowned by carefully rendered ears that differ subtly in structure and texture. The restrained palette and fine line work emphasize form over ornament, allowing the viewer to focus on botanical structure and variation rather than decorative flourish.

Produced in the early eighteenth century, this engraving forms part of A Curious Herbal (1737–1739), a landmark botanical and medical work distinguished by the rare unity of authorship in which drawing, copper engraving, and hand-colouring were executed by :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} herself.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is deliberately minimal, built around vertical lines that convey stability and order. The contrast between the smooth ear and the bearded variety introduces subtle visual tension, while the isolated seed details reinforce the engraving’s analytical clarity.

Generous negative space surrounds the forms, lending the plate a quiet, almost meditative quality. This restraint gives the engraving a timeless presence, well suited to refined interiors where understatement and balance are valued.

About the Subject

Triticum, or wheat, has been a cornerstone of agriculture and human sustenance since antiquity. In early modern Europe, knowledge of grain varieties was essential not only for cultivation but also for trade, storage, and food security. Herbals such as A Curious Herbal documented wheat not as an exotic specimen, but as a plant of daily and civilizational importance. Blackwell’s engraving reflects this role through its sober presentation, emphasizing structure, grain formation, and varietal distinction. The result is a botanical image rooted in utility and continuity—an illustration of the plant that underpinned economies, diets, and landscapes for centuries.

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. A period watermark is visible on the sheet, consistent with contemporary papermaking practices. The surface remains clean and stable, with a crisp impression and well-preserved 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: 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