Despite the fact that Pierre-Joseph Redouté’s Les Roses was originally intended to be a scientific work, the floral plates designed by the botanist-cum-artist are considered to be some of the finest botanical prints of his time. Published in three separate volumes between 1817 and 1824, most of the blossoms depicted were inspired by flowers found in the gardens at Malmaison, the home of the Empress Josephine, to whom Redouté was the personal artist. Redouté’s combination of scientific exactitude and artistic ability make his botanical prints vivid, unforgettable, and above all, treasured.
