Botanical Journal — Nederlandsch Bloemwerk 1794 Dutch Narcissus & Crocus Engravings

Carry the elegance of Dutch Golden Age horticulture — when Nederlandsch Bloemwerk captured 18th-century botanical artistry in hand-colored copperplate engravings, and the Narcissus, the Saffron Crocus, and the Cornflower were given the precise and beautiful portraits that only the finest Dutch botanical publishing could produce.

This hardcover journal celebrates two exquisite plates from the 1794 Nederlandsch Bloemwerk (Dutch Flower Arrangements), published by J.B. Elwe in Amsterdam. Created by a “company of scholars,” this 54-plate masterwork showcased cultivated flowers at the height of Dutch botanical expertise. The front cover features Plate XXVII, a hand-colored copperplate engraving based on Nicolas Robert (1614–1685), the renowned French flower painter whose Variae ac multiformum species set the standard for botanical illustration. The back cover presents a complementary plate illustrated by H.L. Myling after P.T. van Brussel.

Front Cover — Plate XXVII: Three Narcissus Varieties & Comma Butterfly, Nicolas Robert, Nederlandsch Bloemwerk, J.B. Elwe Amsterdam, 1794:
The front cover presents three distinct daffodil species identified by Latin nomenclature: Narcissus maximus pallidus (pale large narcissus), Pseudonarcissus hispanicus (Spanish daffodil), and Narcissus d'Argiers. Each bloom captures the delicate trumpet coronas, reflexed petals, and color gradations that distinguished cultivated varieties in 18th-century Dutch gardens. A Comma butterfly with its characteristic ragged wing edges rests among the stems, connecting botanical study with entomological observation in the tradition of the great Dutch natural history illustrators.

Back Cover — Cornflower, Autumn Crocus & Saffron Crocus with Insect Studies, H.L. Myling after P.T. van Brussel, Nederlandsch Bloemwerk, 1794:
The back cover features three botanically diverse species with insect studies. The blue Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), labeled Cyanus Segetum flore Carneo, blooms at top left. The centerpiece Autumn Crocus (Colchicum species), inscribed Colchicum pleno flore clus, displays multiple layered petals in a double-flowered form of extraordinary beauty. The Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) appears as a closed yellowish bud, representing the economically vital spice source that had made the crocus one of the most commercially important plants in European history. A caterpillar and bee provide ecological context, completing a plate that is simultaneously a botanical reference, an entomological study, and a work of art.

Why This Journal Inspires:

• Hand-colored copperplate engravings from 1794 Nederlandsch Bloemwerk — Dutch horticultural supremacy at its most beautiful
• Plate XXVII based on Nicolas Robert (1614–1685) — three Narcissus varieties with Comma butterfly from J.B. Elwe's 54-plate Amsterdam masterwork
• H.L. Myling after P.T. van Brussel — Cornflower, Autumn Crocus, and Saffron Crocus with caterpillar and bee insect studies
• The perfect companion for botanical sketches, garden observation logs, bulb collection notes, or daily reflections inspired by the elegance of Dutch Golden Age horticulture

Product Details:

• Format: Hardcover lined journal
• Pages: 150 perforated lined pages for easy removal
• Binding: Casewrap sewn binding
• Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.5 inches
• Weight: Approximately 400g
• Cover: Matte laminated full-wrap print

Perfect For:

• Botanical illustrators and garden designers celebrating Dutch Golden Age horticultural traditions
• Narcissus and crocus enthusiasts documenting bulb collections and spring bloom cycles
• Natural history collectors honoring 1794 Amsterdam botanical publishing and hand-coloring techniques
• Gift for anyone captivated by the elegance, precision, and beauty of Dutch Golden Age botanical art
• Students and researchers of the history of Dutch botanical publishing and 18th-century horticultural science
• Writers and creatives inspired by the extraordinary refinement of the Nederlandsch Bloemwerk tradition

Carry the legacy of Nederlandsch Bloemwerk 1794 — where Dutch horticultural mastery met hand-colored copperplate artistry to celebrate the Narcissus, the Saffron Crocus, and the Cornflower, and J.B. Elwe's Amsterdam press gave the flowers of the Dutch Golden Age the portraits they have always deserved.

EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Generic brand, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC
Care instructions: Use a soft, clean and dry cloth to gently brush any dust or dirt off from the center of book outwards.