Olive Tree (*Olea europæa*) – A et B. var. Olivier d'Entrecasteaux. C. Caillet-roux - Antique Print – P.J Redouté (c.1801-1819)

This refined botanical engraving by Pierre-Joseph Redouté presents a cultivated European olive in a comparative format, combining varietal observation with the compositional restraint characteristic of early nineteenth-century botanical art.

Rather than isolating a single branch, the plate juxtaposes multiple fruiting stems to show differences in form and maturation. The result is both analytical and visually balanced—an image designed for botanical clarity, yet composed with unmistakable elegance.

Produced during the period often regarded as the golden age of botanical illustration, this engraving reflects a time when cultivated varieties were recorded with precision, supporting agricultural knowledge through carefully structured visual evidence.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is arranged as a comparative study across open space: separate branches are distributed to keep each varietal element distinct, while maintaining an overall equilibrium. Narrow, silvery-green leaves establish a restrained rhythm that guides the eye between the groups.

The fruit provides the plate’s key visual contrast, moving from pale green olives to deep, almost black ripened clusters. This tonal progression gives the image a quiet narrative of maturation, while the isolated stones placed nearby function as precise analytical anchors. Fine engraved linework and controlled hand-colouring preserve clarity of contour and leaf structure without decorative excess.

About the Subject

This plate documents a cultivated variety of the European olive (Olea europaea) through distinct labelled figures. In the accompanying description, branches A and B are identified as “L’Olivier d’Entrecasteaux”, while figure C is “Olivier Caillet-Roux”. The print also isolates the stones (fig. 1 and fig. 2), reinforcing the plate’s focus on varietal comparison through fruit, maturation stage, and morphological detail.

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