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“The Temple of Flora” by Robert Thornton is a notable botanical book published between 1799 and 1807. It is renowned for its stunning and intricate hand-colored plates depicting various flowers.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single “most wanted” plate from the book as preferences can vary greatly among collectors and enthusiasts, there are several plates that are often considered particularly valuable or iconic.
Below I describe five pictures that I know many art lovers find attractive.
In “Roses” from “The Temple of Flora” by Robert Thornton, a breathtaking floral tapestry unfolds. The illustration captures a profusion of roses in a magnificent array of colors: radiant yellows, pristine whites, and passionate reds.
Amidst this riot of blossoms, two elegant birds grace the scene, nestled among the blooms. A nest cradles delicate eggs, a testament to the cycle of life in this lush garden. Beyond the flourishing roses, a stately temple emerges in the background, its classical architecture offering a timeless contrast to the vibrant natural world. “Roses” stands as a testament to Thornton’s artistry, blending botanical precision with imaginative storytelling in a captivating tableau.
In ‘The Queen Plant’ from Robert Thornton’s ‘The Temple of Flora,’ a striking botanical tableau unfolds. The centerpiece of this composition is the regal Strelitzia reginae, also known as The Queen Plant. Its large, upright, deep-green leaves form an impressive backdrop. The flowering structure of the plant is a remarkable sight, with a boat-shaped, 12-26 cm long inflorescence that often extends at a right angle. This inflorescence is characterized by its greyish-green hue and a red-edged bract, from which one to three vibrant orange-hued flowers emerge.
As you delve into the scene, the background reveals a breathtaking natural landscape. Towering hills rise in the distance, creating a majestic backdrop. Water, in all its serene beauty, stretches out, reflecting the sky above. Tall and graceful palm trees sway gently, adding to the sense of exotic allure.
Notably, Robert Thornton instructed his artists to paint the plants not in the traditional manner against a plain background but to immerse them in their natural settings. This approach transports viewers into the imagined landscapes, inviting them to appreciate the plants’ beauty in harmony with the world around them.
The Queen Plant with its vivid colors and immersive scenery, stands as a testament to Thornton’s vision and the artistry of the era, capturing both the essence of the plant and the spirit of exploration and botanical discovery of its time.
In ‘Group of Tulips’ from Robert Thornton’s ‘The Temple of Flora,’ a captivating spectacle of seven tulips graces an open landscape. These tulips, in varying shades of red, yellow, purple, and white, stand against a backdrop that includes a meandering river and a distant mill among the tulips and a church spire.
The most prominent of these tulips is one named after Louis XVI, rising “with princely majesty.” Its petals are adorned with edges stained in black, symbolizing sorrow, as described by Thornton. Beside it, a General Washington tulip stands, offering its own unique beauty. La Majestieuse, with its regal name, exhibits its splendor alongside the Carnation Tulip. Two new varieties, bearing the namesake of the Duchess of Devonshire and the Earl Spencer, make their debut, adding to the ensemble of tulip diversity.
The scene beautifully illustrates the vibrant array of tulip cultivars, each with its distinct charm and character. Thornton’s dedication to capturing their unique qualities is evident in this composition.
The accompanying text from ‘The Temple of Flora’ underscores the tulip’s lifecycle. It describes how the tulip bulb, much like the turnip’s role in sustaining the plant, invests its energy into producing flowers and forming new bulbs. These bulbs contain the tulips for future years in embryo, awaiting their moment to bloom. It’s a testament to nature’s cyclical beauty and the anticipation of what lies ahead.
‘Tulips’ in ‘The Temple of Flora’ is a visual and botanical celebration of these beloved flowers, highlighting their diversity and significance in the natural world.
One of the most coveted plates in ‘The Temple of Flora’ is the ‘Sacred Egyptian Bean.’ This captivating plate features the lotus, scientifically known as Nymphaea caerulea, a plant of profound cultural significance in Egypt. It’s no wonder that Robert Thornton chose to depict pyramids in the background, as the lotus holds a revered place in ancient Egyptian culture.
The lotus, often referred to as the Egyptian lotus, is closely intertwined with ancient Egyptian beliefs and symbolism. It is said to mirror the sun’s cycle, opening its petals with the dawn and closing them as night falls—a representation of the eternal cycle of life and death. Emerging gracefully from still waters, much like the floods of the Nile, it aligns with ancient cosmological theories about the creation of the universe.
In the exquisite illustration, two resplendent lotus blooms take center stage, accompanied by a cluster of budding flowers and the expansive green leaves that enable the lotus to float gracefully on the water’s surface. In the background, one can infer the presence of the Nile River—a lifeline of ancient Egypt.
Thornton’s meticulous attention to detail extends beyond the blossoms themselves. He thought it crucial to convey the origins of these flowers in his artwork, providing viewers with a glimpse into the broader natural context from which they emerge.
The ‘Sacred Egyptian Bean’ plate is not just a botanical illustration; it’s a tribute to the rich tapestry of Egyptian culture, the timeless symbolism of the lotus, and Thornton’s commitment to capturing the essence and context of the natural world in his masterful work.
In the enchanting illustration of the “Large Flowering Sensitive Plant” from Robert Thornton’s “The Temple of Flora,” we are transported to a world where nature’s wonders unfold before our eyes.
The descriptive prose by Thornton provides a glimpse into the botanical and cultural significance of this shrub, native to both the East and West Indies. Introduced to gardens in 1769, it has found its home in the lush mountains of Jamaica, captivating even the aborigines with its exquisite blooms.
In the foreground of the image stands the plant itself, its branches adorned with clusters of delicate, purple stamens that hang gracefully like feathery plumes. These enchanting blooms seem to defy time, with their rapid growth bestowing an illusion of spontaneous motion upon them, a testament to nature’s craft in concealing the secrets of sensation and action within this remarkable species.
As our gaze extends into the background, we witness the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. An indigenous man, draped in a loincloth, stands beside a towering counterpart of the plant, underscoring the plant’s grandeur. Nearby, two birds grace the scene—one sips nectar from the plant’s offerings, a testament to its role as the nurturing source of sustenance for hummingbirds.
Beyond the immediate tableau, the landscape unfolds with rolling mountains and hills, a testament to the vast and diverse natural world that surrounds this extraordinary plant.
The “Large Flowering Sensitive Plant” is a captivating tribute to the marvels of nature, where beauty, wonder, and ecological interconnectedness seamlessly converge in the canvas of Thornton’s botanical masterpiece.
After exploring these captivating images from Robert Thornton, you might be intrigued to discover more of his remarkable illustrations from “The Temple of Flora.” If so, don’t hesitate to visit our product page, where you’ll find all 30 exquisite botanical specimens beautifully depicted. We invite you to take a closer look and immerse yourself in the wondrous world of Thornton’s botanical artistry.
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