Citrus Journal — Pancrace Bessa 1801–1819 Traité des Arbres et Arbustes Bitter Orange & Five Citrus Varieties Botanical Engravings

Carry the spirit of early 19th-century French botanical mastery — where Pancrace Bessa painted citrus in full bloom with scientific precision and artistic grace.

This hardcover journal celebrates two exquisite engravings from the Traité des Arbres et Arbustes que l'on cultive en France en pleine terre (1801–1819). Pancrace Bessa (1772–1846) — pupil of Pierre-Joseph Redouté and commissioned by King Charles X — created approximately 572 watercolors on vellum for this prestigious series, documenting plants cultivated in French gardens during the golden age of natural history illustration.

Front Cover — Bitter Orange Branch: Bessa's Citrus Bigaradia Sinensis (engraved by Jarry) captures the complete life cycle of the bitter orange: delicate white Azahar blossoms prized in perfumery, glossy ovate leaves, and fruit from green to vibrant orange. This Chinese cultivar traveled from Southeast Asia through India and Iran to become essential in European marmalade and ornamental horticulture.

Back Cover — Five Citrus Varieties: Plate 26, Vol. 7 from L'Herbier Général de l'Amateur (Paris, 1810–1827), engraved by Gabriel, presents a hand-colored stipple study of citrus diversity: variegated bitter orange, standard bitter orange, pomelo (Citrus decumana), citron (Citrus medica), and sweet lemon — a taxonomic portrait of the Rutaceae family for French aristocracy and amateur botanists.

Why This Journal Inspires:

• Two masterworks by Bessa from two landmark French botanical publications (1801–1819 and 1810–1827)
• Front cover celebrates the complete bitter orange plant; back cover presents five citrus varieties in hand-colored stipple engraving
• Scientific precision meets artistic beauty — citrus taxonomy, life cycles, and cultivar diversity from the Napoleonic era
• A tribute to the golden age of French natural history, commissioned for King Charles X's court

Product Details:

• Format: Hardcover lined journal
• Pages: 150 perforated lined pages (75 sheets) for easy removal
• Binding: Casewrap sewn binding that lays flat and flexes for comfortable writing
• Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.5 inches
• Weight: Approximately 400g
• Cover: Matte laminated full-wrap print

Perfect For:

• Botanical illustrators and natural history artists studying golden age engraving techniques
• Citrus enthusiasts, pomologists, and gardeners cultivating heritage varieties
• Historians of science and collectors celebrating French Napoleonic-era botanical publications
• Herbalists and perfumers working with orange blossom, neroli, and citrus essential oils
• Culinary historians and marmalade makers inspired by bitter orange traditions
• Rare book bibliophiles appreciating L'Herbier Général de l'Amateur and Traité des Arbres et Arbustes

Carry the legacy of Pancrace Bessa — where citrus blossoms, fruit, and foliage become timeless art from the golden age of French natural history.

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.