E.F. Joseph Paxton Campanula Fragilis Hirsuta (Hairy Fragile Bell) Flower

An original mid-19th-century watercolour painting, E.F., Joseph Paxton Campanula Fragilis Hirsuta (Hairy Fragile Bell) Flower.

A bold and vibrant original botanical watercolour dating from an era considered the Golden Age of Botany. This painting is after an illustration published in Joseph Paxton's 'Magazine of Botany', 1834–1849.

Hand-drawn in pencil then coloured in watercolour, with the addition of gum arabic to intensify the colour.

This painting is one of a collection that we have for sale by two Victorian hands, initialled A.F. and E.F, who were likely to be sisters. The paintings in the collection are copies after botanical plates published at the time, principally from Joseph Paxton's 'Magazine of Botany', published in sixteen volumes from 1834 to 1849. Other examples are from Robert Thompson's 'The Gardener's Assistant' and Louis van Houtte's 'Flore des Serres'. Some are after the noted botanical illustrator Augusta Innes Withers.

In graphite with watercolour and gum arabic to intensify the colour. On card.