Plate 43. Fritillaire Impériale

Engraved after an original by Pierre Joseph Redouté (1759-1840). From P. J. Redouté's 'Choix des plus belles fleurs' (published in parts [each part containing four plates] in Paris from 1827 to 1833. The engraver is not named.

Belgian born Redouté achieved success as a painter working for the French royal. From 1798 he was appointed to paint the flowers of Château de Malmaison by Josephine Bonaparte. His famous published works include 'Les Liliacées' and 'Les Roses'. Fritillaria imperialis, commonly known as crown imperial, is a bulb native to mountainous regions in Turkey, western Iran and eastwards to Kashmir. It is grown for its large and spectacular clusters of bell-shaped flowers in late-spring.