Daniel Rabel – 17th Century Botanical Engraving of Tulips
Daniel Rabel – Tulips
Rare original hand-colored copper engraving from the botanical book “Theatrum Florae” published in Paris circa 1630.
Plate 9 showing variegated yellow and red tulips and red and white. Today we understand that these flame-like streaks are the result of a virus, but the reason for this unique coloring was not known in the 17th Century.
Annotations: Tulipa flore sub faluo albescente vum flammu lis et punctis confuse mixtis purpureis, Tulipa flore pupureo diluto cum flammis sulphureis, Tulipa macedonica foliss ore sub flauo albescente circondatis flore vero pupureo cum flammis sub albidis…
Dimensions: 360 x 260 mm
Condition: Some spotting and browning of sheet as shown.
Paris circa 1625
1578 - 3 January 1637
Daniel Rabel was a man of many talents. First employed as a portraitist by Marie de Medicis, he also designed sets and costumes for the ballet and served as Engineer in Ordinary for the King for the provinces of Brie and Champagne.
“Theatrum Florae” was a collection of botanical illustrations of 69 of the most striking plants then known which Gaston of Orléans. commissioned Daniel Rabel to paint. Other artists later contributed to the work, including Nicolas Robert (1614-1685).
