Borage Plant (Borrago sp.) – Antique Hand-Colored Engraving by Ehret (1756)
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Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
This original 18th-century hand-colored copper engraving depicts a species of Borage (Borrago), illustrated by Georg Dionysius Ehret for Philip Miller’s Figures of the Most Beautiful, Useful, and Uncommon Plants, published in London in 1756.
Drawn from living specimens at the Chelsea Physic Garden, the engraving reflects the precision of early botanical science while presenting the plant with a striking visual presence.
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The composition is dominated by large, textured leaves that unfold with a sculptural quality. Their intricate veining and tonal variations create a rich surface, giving the plant a strong architectural presence.
A softly curved stem, rendered in subtle reddish tones, introduces movement and contrast. Along its length, small pendulous flowers appear in delicate clusters, balancing the visual weight of the foliage with refined detail.
The interplay between mass and delicacy is central to the composition: broad leaves anchor the image, while fine botanical elements provide rhythm and lightness.
Set against a clean background, the plant emerges with clarity and presence, exemplifying Ehret’s ability to transform botanical study into a work of visual elegance.
Species of Borrago, commonly known as borage, have long been cultivated for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Their distinctive foliage and star-shaped flowers made them of particular interest to early botanists.
In 18th-century botanical gardens, such plants contributed to the expanding study of plant classification and the documentation of useful species.
This engraving belongs to Philip Miller’s celebrated botanical work, produced under his direction at the Chelsea Physic Garden. The plates were executed by leading artists including Georg Dionysius Ehret, whose work set new standards for botanical illustration.
The plate includes a publication line reading “Published according to Act of Parliament”, dated 1756, confirming its place within the early issues of the work.
Discover more about the artist: Georg Dionysius Ehret — The Art of Botanical Precision .
Browse the complete collection: Miller – Uncommon Plants Collection , featuring original 18th-century engravings that combine scientific precision with refined decorative presence.
Very good antique condition. The engraving retains a strong and well-preserved impression with finely applied original hand-coloring. Printed on fine 18th-century laid paper, with good margins. A small paper loss is present at the upper left corner, together with a very faint and barely visible offsetting mark along the upper right margin. The sheet shows a pictorial watermark clearly visible in the paper. These minor imperfections are consistent with the age and do not detract from the overall visual appeal of the engraving.
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