Antique Natural HistoryOriginal plates from the naturalists' books, 1600s to 1900s
Orchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations
Orchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations, view 2
Orchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations, view 3
Orchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations, view 4
Orchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations, view 5

Close-ups

Orchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations, close-up 1

Framed and on the wall

Orchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations, shown framedOrchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations, shown framed on a wallOrchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations, shown framed in a room

Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.

Orchid Variations: A Study of Ophrys Species in 1904 Illustrations

£290 ($380, €340)

Period original, not a reproduction.

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Date
1904
Size
9.4 × 5.9 in (24 × 15 cm)
Condition
Good. Good. One edge rough, but leaving enough space for matting or framing. Study the images carefully.
Period
20th century
Section
Botanical
Reference
f_38175442

The collage presents a curated selection of Ophrys species, each meticulously illustrated to showcase the distinctive features that characterize these unique orchids.

The first image, "Ophrys araneifera Huds.," captures the spider orchid with its greenish petals and brown, velvety lip that mimics the form of a spider, enticing its pollinators.

Following, "Ophrys muscifera Huds." depicts the fly orchid, with dark, insect-like markings on its lip, a master of mimicry and deception in the plant kingdom.

The third, "Ophrys fuciflora (Crtz.) Rchb. F.," showcases the late spider orchid with a lip pattern resembling a female wasp.

Finally, "Ophrys apifera Huds." presents the bee orchid, which remarkably resembles its namesake pollinator.

This collection from Walter Müller's 1904 compendium illustrates the diversity and evolutionary ingenuity of the Ophrys genus, captured with scientific precision and artistic flair.