Pierre Joseph Redouté

The rhizomatous African Iris is also known as the fortnight lily and is found throughout the African continent. This study in opaque watercolor on vellum is preparatory for Redouté's "Les Liliacées", which was issued in 80 parts between 1802 and 1816 (vol. I, Paris, 1802, plate 45). Under the patronage of Empress Josephine from 1798, Redouté worked in her gardens at Malmaison producing drawings for the eight volume series devoted to lilies that is considered one of the most beautiful books ever produced. Josephine retained the drawings and printed text, which passed to her son and his descendants until being sold at auction in 1935. The plates and text were broken up after the 1985 sale. The present drawing is accompanied by the pages of text describing the African Iris (1986.66a).