Olive Tree (*Olea europæa*) – A. var Caillet-rouge. B. var-blanc. C. var de deux Saisons – P.J. Redouté (c.1801-1819)

This refined botanical engraving by Pierre-Joseph Redouté presents a comparative study of cultivated olive varieties, rendered with the clarity and visual discipline that define the finest botanical works of the early nineteenth century.

Rather than depicting a single specimen, the plate brings together multiple branches to illustrate variation in fruit, foliage, and maturation. This structured approach reflects Redouté’s ability to combine scientific observation with compositional balance.

Produced during the golden age of botanical illustration, the engraving stands as a visual document of agricultural knowledge at a time when cultivated varieties were increasingly classified, compared, and recorded.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is organized as a comparative layout, with three distinct branches arranged across the plate. Each variety is given visual autonomy, allowing differences in fruit colour, size, and ripening stage to be read clearly without visual interference.

Muted greens and silvery foliage create a restrained chromatic base, against which the olives—ranging from pale green to deep purple—emerge as subtle focal points. Fine engraved lines define the narrow leaves and fruit contours with precision, while controlled hand-colouring preserves clarity and emphasizes varietal distinction without excess.

About the Subject

This plate documents three cultivated varieties of the European olive (Olea europaea): the “Olivier Caillet-rouge”, the “Olivier Caillet-blanc”, and the “Olivier de deux saisons”. By presenting these varieties side by side, the engraving illustrates differences in fruit colour, form, and maturation, reflecting contemporary agricultural interest in classification, yield, and seasonal behaviour.

Condition Report

The engraving is in very good condition, printed on period paper with a clean and stable surface. Light, even age-related toning is present, consistent with works of this age. The impression remains clear and well-defined, with margins preserved and no significant restorations observed. The original engraved credits are present and legible, including “P. J. Redouté pinx.” and “Lemaire sculp.”

Details

• Artist: Pierre-Joseph Redouté
• Work / Publication: Arbres et Arbustes
• Period: c. 1801–1819
• Technique: Original hand-colored copper engraving
• Sheet size: approx. 40 × 25 cm

For further context on Pierre-Joseph Redouté and his contribution to botanical illustration, see our editorial feature:

Pierre-Joseph Redouté: Floral Art in the Service of Science