Artwork
Twelve Months of Flowers: January
Twelve Months of Flowers: January is a print by the Baroque artist Henry Fletcher. It dates from 1730 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1730, *Twelve Months of Flowers: January* is a printed illustration that gathers a profusion of spring blossoms within a single vase.
Created in 1730, *Twelve Months of Flowers: January* is a printed illustration that gathers a profusion of spring blossoms within a single vase. The composition displays a vivid assortment of reds, whites, yellows and purples, interwoven with varied foliage, and includes a small caption listing each flower’s name. The work belongs to a larger series that presents a different month’s floral display.
Subject & Meaning
The image functions as both a decorative tableau and a practical guide, identifying each plant for viewers interested in horticulture. By arranging numerous species together, the print demonstrates the diversity of cultivated flowers available in early‑18th‑century England and reflects contemporary enthusiasm for botanical knowledge and garden design.
Technique & Style
Engraved by Henry Fletcher after drawings by Pieter Casteels, the print employs fine line work and cross‑hatching to render delicate petals and textured leaves. The detailed rendering and balanced composition echo the baroque taste for richness and visual complexity, while the clear labeling underscores the instructional purpose of the image.
History & Provenance
Printed in London, the work was issued by gardener and publisher Robert Furber, known for producing horticultural literature. Fletcher, active between 1715 and 1738, was respected for his botanical and avian plates, and this series illustrates his contribution to the period’s natural‑history print market. The print remains a representative example of English botanical illustration from the early Georgian era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Fletcher (fl. 1710–1750), was an English engraver. Fletcher worked in London, and produced engravings possessing some merit. He most excelled as an engraver of flowers, notably The Twelve Months of Flowers and The…
