A Collection of Roses from Nature: Dark China Rose - Mary Lawrance

A detailed botanical study of the Dark China Rose, originally published by Mary Lawrance in 1799 as part of her series on roses.

This botanical study, titled 'Dark China Rose' (Rosa semperflorens), originates from Mary Lawrance's ambitious publication, 'A Collection of Roses from Nature', issued between 1796 and 1799. Lawrance was a notable figure in late eighteenth-century British botanical art, working as both an artist and a publisher. She produced this series independently, managing the engraving and hand-colouring processes herself, which was an unusual practice for a woman of her era.

The print displays a scientific approach to the subject, capturing the specific morphology of the rose. The composition is balanced, showing the flower in two states: a fully opened bloom and a secondary view from the reverse. The serrated leaves and thorny stems are rendered with precision, reflecting the artist's focus on accurate documentation. The stipple engraving technique allows for subtle gradations of tone, which Lawrance enhanced with delicate washes of watercolour to achieve the deep crimson hues of the petals and the varied greens of the foliage.

Lawrance's work is valued for its contribution to the documentation of rose varieties during a period of increased horticultural interest in Britain. The 'Dark China Rose' was a popular subject for collectors and gardeners alike, and this print provides a clear record of the plant's appearance at the turn of the nineteenth century. The clean, cream-coloured background ensures that the focus remains entirely on the botanical specimen, adhering to the conventions of scientific illustration of the time. This print is a representative example of the intersection between artistic skill and natural history documentation in the Georgian period.