Charles Antoine Lemaire

Charles Antoine Lemaire is known for his work on Cactaceae and for editing botanical journals. His publications featured colour plates produced by hired botanical illustrators.

Charles Antoine Lemaire (1700-1777) was active as a painter and director of the Académie de France à Rome. After his death in Italy, his collection was shipped to Paris, where it was auctioned in 1778. The auction included paintings and drawings by Lemaire himself, as well as works by Pierre Subleyras and Jean-Paul Panini. Gabriel de Saint-Aubin attended the sale, making sketches in his catalogue. The sale also contained a selection of ancient and modern gems, plus red wax sulphur pastes cast from gems. Gems were typically small, less than an inch in diameter, and featured recessed, embossed, engraved, or carved designs. Intaglios functioned as seals, while cameos were worn as jewellery. Collectors in the Renaissance acquired antique gems alongside classical sculpture and medals. By the 1700s, however, antiquities, particularly medals, had declined in popularity in France.

Charles Antoine Lemaire (1800-1871) was a French botanical artist and writer. He is best known for his detailed illustrations of flowers and plants, particularly those in his own publications. Lemaire's work aligns with the tradition of botanical illustration, a genre that combines scientific accuracy with artistic skill. This style prioritises the precise depiction of plant morphology, colour, and texture. Botanical illustration saw a surge in popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries, driven by increased interest in natural history and exploration. Many artists created detailed records of newly discovered species. While not formally part of a specific art movement, Lemaire's approach shares some similarities with the broader trend of naturalism in 19th-century art. Naturalism sought to depict subjects realistically and objectively, often with a focus on scientific observation. Lemaire's meticulous attention to detail and his dedication to accurate representation place him within this wider artistic context. His illustrations were intended to be both aesthetically pleasing and scientifically informative.

Charles Antoine Lemaire (1800-1871) was a French botanical artist. He is known for his detailed illustrations of flowers and plants. His original watercolours are relatively scarce in public collections. Some examples of his work can be found in specialised botanical libraries and archives. These include institutions such as the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, which has a substantial collection of botanical art. The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, in Pittsburgh, also holds relevant works. Prints and reproductions of Lemaire's illustrations are more widely accessible. These prints were often produced as part of published books and journals during the 19th century. These publications, featuring his contributions, can be found in major libraries. Digital archives of botanical art may also provide access to scanned images of his work. Consulting auction records and specialist art dealers may provide information on the availability and location of individual pieces in private hands.

Charles Antoine Lemaire was influenced by Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin. Chardin had to resign from his Academy posts in 1774 due to an eye disease. Soon after, his friend Cochin, an engraver who had secured many commissions for him, fell out of favour. The new classicism did not allow room for Chardin's style and choice of subject. However, he was rediscovered in the 19th century by the Goncourt brothers and the Impressionist painters. They saw Chardin as the last outstanding master of the ancien régime. Other influences on Lemaire may have included Lambert Lombard, an artist who perceived continuity between antiquity, the medieval period, and contemporary art. Lombard believed the imperial power of ancient Rome was 'translated' through rulers to the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor. He also felt the North retained an uninterrupted connection to the past, preserving ancient artistic forms lost below the Alps. Lombard studied writings by Pléiade poets such as Pierre de Ronsard and Jean du Bellay, as well as Jean Lemaire de Belges.

Charles Antoine Lemaire (1800-1871) was a French botanist and botanical artist. He is remembered for his contributions to the study and documentation of cacti and other succulent plants. Lemaire trained at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. He later dedicated himself to botanical illustration and writing. He produced many articles for botanical journals, including *Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe*. This periodical, edited by Louis van Houtte, featured Lemaire's descriptions and illustrations of newly introduced plant species. Lemaire's detailed descriptions and accurate illustrations helped to popularise the cultivation of cacti and succulents in Europe. His publications contributed significantly to the scientific understanding of these plants. He is credited with naming several genera and species. Among these are *Echinocactus grusonii*, now commonly known as Gruson's Barrel Cactus, and the genus *Ariocarpus*. His work remains a valuable resource for botanists and horticulturalists interested in the study of succulent plants.

Charles Antoine Lemaire is not as well known as some other artists; however, there was a 19th-century collector named Lamare-Picquot whose activities are of interest to historians. Lamare-Picquot was a collector of natural history specimens and ethnographic objects. His collection included mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, insects, and shells. Scholars such as Jean-Victor Audouin and Achille Valenciennes praised his preservation methods. Charles Darwin mentioned Lamare-Picquot's writings on Eskimo dogs. Lamare-Picquot sought recognition for his collecting and hoped to open a market for non-European objects. He aimed to compete with other collectors and establish himself as a connoisseur of Asian antiquities. He promoted his collection by writing letters, requesting reports from scientific societies, and publishing brochures. He also displayed it at the Sorbonne gallery in 1833. Despite his efforts, the French state did not purchase his collection.

Charles Antoine Lemaire was associated with the Naturalism movement.

Charles Antoine Lemaire died in 1887 at the age of 71.

Charles Antoine Lemaire was born in 1816 in France. Charles Antoine Lemaire died in 1887, aged 71.