Hand-Colored Botanical Lithograph of Wild Mustard and Charlock, Calwer, 1854
Description: This beautifully detailed botanical lithograph is from Carl Georg Calwer’s *Deutschlands Technische Pflanzen* (1854), an essential work illustrating the technical plants of Germany. The artwork features Sinapis arvensis (wild mustard) and Raphanus raphanistrum (charlock), both depicted with exceptional precision and hand-applied coloring. Wild mustard, with its bright yellow flowers and slender seed pods, was historically significant as a source of oil and a foraging plant. Charlock, known for its similar yellow blossoms, has long been a common field plant with traditional medicinal uses.
The print captures the delicate flowers, leaves, and seed pods in fine detail, accompanied by scientific annotations that emphasize the botanical and utilitarian importance of these species in 19th-century agriculture and medicine. Its composition combines artistic appeal with educational value, making it a remarkable piece for collectors and enthusiasts of botanical history.
Measuring approximately 24 x 30 cm, this rare lithograph is an excellent choice for framing or display in libraries, studies, or collections focused on natural history. It embodies the timeless beauty of botanical art while offering insight into the practical uses of plants during this period.
Condition: The print is in very good condition, with light foxing and minimal edge wear consistent with its age. Colors remain vibrant, and the details are clear and sharp.
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