Anne Pratt was one of the most popular botanical illustrators of the Victorian era. Publishing around 20 books in her lifetime, she became a household name with Wild Flowers of the Year (1852), and Queen Victoria herself personally requested copies of all of Pratt’s works.
Pratt was born in 1806 in Strood, Kent. She became interested in plants, botany and drawing from an early age as she was often confined indoors due to ill health. The Victorian era was something of a golden age of botanical art, with a number of gifted women participating as it was considered an acceptable “ladylike” pursuit. This golden age reflected a burgeoning interest in gardening in English society, and rapid new developments in technology for printing and publishing books.
But as was often the case with female botanical illustrators of the era, particularly self-taught ones like Pratt, her work was criticized for apparently not being scientific or accurate enough. Her work made botany accessible, and she begins one publication by telling her readers that “one of the chief objects is to aid those who have not hitherto studied Botany”.
Custom gold frame with hints of red, 18” x 12” x 1”. Prints are original, antique to 1859 and measure approximately 9” x 6”. Acid-free mat and backing.
Please note: We have other unframed British Grasses and Sedges prints available from Anne Pratt in our shop inside the Cannery Trade Centre.
Anne Pratt was one of the most popular botanical illustrators of the Victorian era. Publishing around 20 books in her lifetime, she became a household name with Wild Flowers of the Year (1852), and Queen Victoria herself personally requested copies of all of Pratt’s works.
Pratt was born in 1806 in Strood, Kent. She became interested in plants, botany and drawing from an early age as she was often confined indoors due to ill health. The Victorian era was something of a golden age of botanical art, with a number of gifted women participating as it was considered an acceptable “ladylike” pursuit. This golden age reflected a burgeoning interest in gardening in English society, and rapid new developments in technology for printing and publishing books.
But as was often the case with female botanical illustrators of the era, particularly self-taught ones like Pratt, her work was criticized for apparently not being scientific or accurate enough. Her work made botany accessible, and she begins one publication by telling her readers that “one of the chief objects is to aid those who have not hitherto studied Botany”.
Custom gold frame with hints of red, 18” x 12” x 1”. Prints are original, antique to 1859 and measure approximately 9” x 6”. Acid-free mat and backing.
Please note: We have other unframed British Grasses and Sedges prints available from Anne Pratt in our shop inside the Cannery Trade Centre.
