THE BRONX, NEW YORK – The New York Botanical Garden is currently presenting an exhibition, “Flowers by Redouté, Artist for an Empire,” that showcases the artwork of Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840), one of the most famous historical botanical illustrators. Redouté, a French painter of Flemish origin, created exquisite and precise renderings of botanical forms that brought him to the attention of many influential and powerful European patrons, including Queen Marie Antoinette and Napoleon and the Empress Joséphine.

“Flowers by Redouté, Artist for an Empire” is organized around major accomplishments in Redouté’s career during one of the most turbulent eras of French history – the reign of Louis XVI, the Revolution, the Reign of Terror, the Consulate, the Directoire, the Empire, the Bourbon restoration and the July Revolution of 1830. Through all the upheavals, Redouté was accorded honor and respect and claimed three queens and two empresses as pupils and patrons.

Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840), colored stipple engraving, “Camellia japonica,” from Choix des plus belles fleurs, 1827. Illustration courtesy of the Mertz Library, The New York Botanical Gar-den.

The exhibition begins with Redouté’s early work and that ofkey teachers and artists who influenced his artistic development.It continues with his forays into scientific illustration andshowcases his delicate yet monumental works featuring EmpressJoséphine’s plants at the Chateau of Malmaison. In honor of theempress, Redouté created Les Roses, a three-volume workdepicting many of the varieties of roses growing at Malmaison, andthe most sumptuous book ever published on roses. The exhibitionfeatures original artwork done for this publication.

The exhibition includes samples of Redouté’s decorative hand colored prints from Les Choix des Plus Belles Fleurs et des Plus Beaux Fruits, issued between 1827 and 1833, and a display explaining his trademark artistic techniques and Redouté’s influence on other contemporary artists, such as John James Audubon, and his lasting legacy through many prominent pupils. By inspiring other artists with his vision and technique, Redouté exerted a tremendous influence over the course of botanical illustration in the Nineteenth Century.

The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants located at Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road in the Bronx. For information, www.nybg.org or 718-817-8700.