Charles Antoine Lemaire (1800 - 1871), was a French botanist and an outstanding scholar. He was Professor of Classical Literature at the university of Paris.
This was an era when many were fascinated by exotic plants. Plants from around the world were bought back to Europe and eagerly studied by botanists and horticulturalists.
Perhaps this sparked Lemaire's interest in botany? By 1850 he had made his mark as a prominent botanist. He helped create many of the most important botanical works.
For example, he edited and helped write Jardin Fleuriste, L'Horticulteur Universel, Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe and L'Illustration Horticole.
Here are some of his lithographs for you to choose from.They are beautiful, genuine antiques from the 1850s and are from Jardin Fleuriste.