Maize or Indian Corn – *Zea mays* set of 2 - Original hand-colored engraving by Turpin, Antique Botanical Print (c.1835)

The Botanical Architecture of Maize

This refined micro-bundle brings together two original hand-colored engravings dedicated to Zea mays, the cultivated maize — known in nineteenth-century Italy as “Formentone” or “Gran Turco.” One plate presents the complete plant in its agricultural stature; the companion sheet offers an analytical study of the female inflorescence, kernels, and reproductive structures. Together, they form a coherent scientific study of one of the most transformative crops in global history.

Turpin renders the tall central stalk with architectural clarity, while the pendant tassels and broad leaves introduce rhythmic movement. The second plate isolates the ear, silk, and sectional views with disciplined precision, transforming a staple food into a subject of morphological investigation.

Both engravings belong to the Italian edition of the Dizionario di Scienze Naturali (Florence, Battelli press), a monumental early nineteenth-century encyclopedic enterprise dedicated to cataloguing the natural world through refined copperplate engraving and systematic observation.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The primary plate is vertically structured, with the maize stalk rising in balanced proportion. The green and yellow tonal transitions create subtle depth without overwhelming the composition. The tassel crown establishes lightness at the upper register, while the developing ear provides chromatic weight at mid-height.

The companion analytical plate emphasizes structure over monumentality. The exposed kernels, silk threads, and sectional diagrams are arranged with measured spacing, preserving scientific clarity. Displayed together, the pair creates a dialogue between organism and anatomy — cultivation and classification — making the ensemble both visually refined and intellectually grounded.

About the Subject

Zea mays is one of the most consequential cultivated plants in human history. Originating in the Americas and introduced to Europe in the sixteenth century, maize rapidly transformed agricultural systems, diets, and rural economies. By the early nineteenth century, it had become a staple crop across parts of Italy and central Europe. Its inclusion in the Dizionario di Scienze Naturali reflects not exotic curiosity, but agricultural centrality. For Enlightenment botanists, maize represented both economic sustenance and morphological complexity — a grass whose reproductive structure warranted detailed analytical study.

Condition Report

Both engravings are in Like Brand New (LBN) antique condition. The sheets retain clean, well-preserved margins and sharp, clearly defined impressions. The original smooth early nineteenth-century wove paper remains stable and fresh in appearance. No watermark has been observed. The hand-colouring is balanced and well preserved across both plates.

Details

• Artist: Pierre Jean François Turpin
• Work / Publication: Dizionario di Scienze Naturali – Sacchetti Collection
• Subject: Mais coltivato – Zea mays (micro-bundle, 2 plates)
• Period: early 19th century (c. 1820s)
• Technique: Original hand-colored engravings
• Paper: Original smooth wove paper
• Watermark: None observed
• Sheet size: approx. 22 × 14 cm each
• Bundle includes: 2 original plates

For further context on Pierre Jean François Turpin and his contribution to nineteenth-century botanical science, see our editorial feature:

Pierre Jean François Turpin – The Botanical Illustrator of Natural Harmony