Vicia faba L. (Saubohne)
Print; color lithograph plate for a botanical publication • Otto Wilhelm Thomé
Style & Movement
German Scientific Realism / Botanical Illustration
Medium & Technique
Color lithography; fine line engraving with mechanical color overlays; printing on paper
Creation Period
Approximately 1885
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 23 x 15 cm; vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A detailed botanical study of the Broad Bean (Saubohne). The composition features a central flowering stalk with leaves, surrounded by anatomical diagrams including a cross-section of a flower, a seed pod, and various seed orientations labeled with numerals.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved colors and crisp edges with minimal paper oxidation
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD (unframed)
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Originally published as Plate 448 in 'Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz in Wort und Bild für Schule und Haus' (1885, Gera, Germany)
Art Historical Significance
Thomé's 'Flora von Deutschland' is one of the most significant 19th-century German botanical resources, valued for its accuracy in educational and systematic botany during the late Imperial era.
Notable Features
Features taxonomic labeling 'Vicia faba L.' and German common name 'Saubohne' in Fraktur script; includes serial plate numbering 'XVIII 3. 106 Leguminosae' at the top.
Condition Issues
Potential light yellowing at margins; possible center crease if sourced from a bound volume
Conservation Recommendations
Acid-free matting; UV-protective glazing to prevent ink fading; climate-controlled storage to avoid foxing