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Strelitzia regina, bird of paradise
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Strelitzia regina, bird of paradise
Plate 2 from Original Drawings for Hortus Kewensis by William Aiton (1731-1793). Painting by James Sowerby 1787. Held in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum, London
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Media ID 8616543
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10707241
1757 1822 18th Century Bird Of Paradise Bird Of Paradise Flower Bird Of Paradise Plant Commelinid Exotic Hortus James Sowerby Monocot Monocotyledon Angiospermae Magnoliophyta
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning 18th century botanical illustration, Plate 2 from Hortus Kewensis by William Aiton, showcases the vibrant and exotic Strelitzia regina, commonly known as the Bird of Paradise flower. The illustration, painted by the skilled hand of James Sowerby in 1787, is held in the esteemed Botany Library at the Natural History Museum in London. The Bird of Paradise is an iconic angiosperm, characterized by its unique, monocotyledon structure and its status as a flowering plant within the monophyletic group Angiospermae. The plant's name is derived from its striking resemblance to the plumage of the exotic bird of paradise. In this illustration, the orange, animalistic-looking flowers are depicted in full bloom, with their distinctive blue and white bracts spread wide, creating a striking contrast against the green foliage. The intricate details of the plant's structure are beautifully rendered, from the delicate veins on the leaves to the intricately textured petals. James Sowerby, a renowned English botanical artist, captured the essence of this exotic and captivating plant with remarkable accuracy and artistry. Born in 1757, Sowerby began his career as an engraver before turning his attention to botanical illustration. He is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to bring the natural world to life through his art. William Aiton, the Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, compiled and published Hortus Kewensis in 1768, which was the first comprehensive catalogue of the plants grown at Kew. This important work, which included Plate 2 featuring the Bird of Paradise flower, helped to advance the field of botany and showcase the wonders of the natural world to a wider audience.
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