Purple Allium or Hydrangea Botanical Illustration
Print, likely a hand-colored engraving or high-quality lithograph on paper • Signed 'Richard A. (...)', a mid-century botanical illustrator or decorative artist
Style & Movement
Botanical Illustration / Neoclassical Revival
Medium & Technique
Intaglio or planographic print with watercolor or gouache hand-coloring; decorative gouache border for framing
Creation Period
Mid to late 20th century (reproduction of a 19th-century style)
Dimensions & Format
Small format, approximately 8 x 10 inches; portrait orientation
Subject Description
A vertical botanical study featuring a round cluster of purple star-shaped flowers (possibly Allium or a mophead Hydrangea variety) atop a segmented green stem with dark green, ovate, serrated leaves. The composition is centered and formal, typical of scientific florilegium records.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; shows signs of age-appropriate toning and minor surface spotting (foxing)
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of a series for decorative interior design; possibly acquired from a boutique gallery or high-end department store specialized in traditional prints
Art Historical Significance
Represents the continuing tradition of the 'Florilegium' in interior decoration, mimicking the scientific rigor of Redouté or Besler for the 20th-century market.
Notable Features
Hand-painted ink/gouache line borders (french matting style) directly on the paper; legible signature in the lower left corner.
Condition Issues
Slight yellowing of the paper substrate; visible foxing spots on the right and left margins of the central image.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to mitigate foxing; remounting with acid-free archival materials and UV-protective glass to prevent further fading of the purple pigments.