Artwork
Provence or French Rose
Provence or French Rose is a print by the Romanticist artist Henry Joseph Redouté. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1820, this botanical print by Henry Joseph Redouté depicts a solitary rose bush bearing three blossoms. Rendered against an unadorned background, the composition isolates the plant, allowing its forms and colors to dominate the viewer’s attention.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a single stem with three roses ranging from deep to lighter reds, accompanied by verdant leaves and brown woody branches. By focusing on the natural details of the flower, Redouté emphasizes the inherent beauty and delicate structure of the rose, a common motif in 19th‑century botanical illustration.
Technique & Style
Redouté employed fine line work and subtle washes of color to convey texture and depth. The careful gradation of hues on the petals and foliage creates a three‑dimensional effect, while the plain backdrop eliminates distraction, a hallmark of the precise, scientific approach that characterizes his botanical prints.
History & Provenance
The print, titled "Provence or French Rose," entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently conserved. Its date of execution, 1820, places it early in Redouté’s prolific career as a leading botanical illustrator for French horticultural publications.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Joseph Redouté (1766–1852) was a French artist, born in Saint-Hubert.
