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Dr. Robert John Thornton The Temple of Flora 1797-1810 |
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Temple of Flora, sometimes criticized for its scientific inaccuracy, is perhaps the single most famous of all florilegium. Dr. Robert Thornton was not primarily an artist. However, he was the driving force and visionary behind the creation of this great work. To produce it, he employed other artists and engravers. Thornton lived from 1768 to 1837. He intended to issue seventy plates dramatically and poetically illustrating Linnaeus' discoveries about the sexual system of plants. It required the completion of only twenty-eight plates to bring financial ruin upon the well-stationed physician. The project fell victim to Thorton's almost fanatical attention to detail and the changing taste of a social elite who had become somewhat jaded by the preponderance of great flower books created during this period. In 1804, he opened a gallery in London. There he exhibited the original paintings and sold catalogs. The primary objective was to publicize the folio of engravings as it was being published and released. |
Desperate to continue funding his work, Thornton now embarked on his
wildest scheme. He applied for and was granted permission by Parliament to
hold a fantastic lottery. For prizes he produced a quarto, or miniature,
edition of The Temple of Flora. First prize was to be the entire contents
of the gallery. The lottery failed to attract ample participants and
Thornton died destitute, financially ruined by his dream. |
| The Temple of Flora folio in the Kew Gardens collection has been documented as one of the finest in the world. It is comprised of all thirty two plates including both versions of the pitcher plant as well as both versions of the Auriculas. All of the plates are the earliest and most desirable states. Printed with watercolors on English watercolor paper, the Oppenheimer Kew Gardens Edition faithfully replicates every nuance of the originals at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. | |
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Price range: $600 - $1,200 |
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