Gum Plants: Gum Arabic, Tragacanth, Olibanum, Mastic

24 x 15 cm (9.5 x 6 inches).

This antique illustration was made in the 1860s by William Rhind from his work portraying many well known, useful plants. William Rhind was a prominent Victorian botanist who lectured in Botany in Aberdeen, Scotland. J.Bishop and William Fitch were his illustrators. Sir Joseph Hooker paid many tributes to Fitch, e.g. "the incomparable botanical artist" with "his unrivalled skill in seizing the natural character of a plant". According to Wilfred Blunt, in his authoratative book, The Art Of Botanical Illustration, Fitch remains the most outstanding botanical artist of his day in Europe.
This illustration was printed by steel plate engraving on creamy, white paper and has original hand painted coloring. It's in very good condition. This is a genuine antique not a reproduction.