Product Description

Florilegium Imperialis: The Floral Watercolors of Francis I of Austria

H. Walter Lack

Now available for the first time in book form, this collection of exquisitely rendered flowers presents one of the world’s great collections of botanical illustrations in a deluxe format.

Francis I of Austria, the last monarch to rule over the Holy Roman Empire, was also obsessed with flowers. His Imperial Gardens, where he realized his passion for flowers, remain one of Vienna’s most beloved treasures. In 1791, Francis I commissioned Matthias Schumtzer to paint portraits of every flower in the garden—a project that took more than three decades to complete. Until now, only six of the extant 1,300 paintings have ever been published. This collection features one hundred of the most outstanding of Schmutzer’s watercolors. Painted life-size and with extraordinary precision, the flowers range from the exotic to the common. A fascinating text offers biographical information about Francis I, descriptions of the Imperial Gardens in the ruler’s time, and photographs of how they appear today. A significant contribution to horticultural history, this unique and beautifully presented book will delight lovers of botanical art and Europhiles alike.

H. Walter Lack is director of the botanical gardens in Berlin-Dahlem and professor at the Free University of Berlin. He is the author of numerous books on botanical history, including Jardin de la Malmaison: Empress Josephine’s Garden (Prestel).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #651486 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

Review
"A book like this inspires almost purely notional gardening, far from the need to dig, weed and debug." -- Wall Street Journal

"A visual treasure... a source of pleasure and information for both art and exotic plant/tree lover." -- Art Times, June 2006

"Breathtaking." -- Veranda, July 2006

"One of the most prestigious and stunningly beautiful books to be published in this millennium..." -- National Garden Clubs, December 2006

"Stunningly reproduced." -- Elle Décor, June 2006

Customer Reviews

Florilegium Imperiale: Botanical Illustrations for Francis I of Austria by
This book is just as beautiful inside as is its' cover. You will not be disappointed but hopefully pleasantly surprised! I loved it.Florilegium Imperiale: Botanical Illustrations for Francis I of Austria

Wonderful Gift and Best Florilegium Published
Two facts strike me about this incredible book. First, it would make a wonderful gift for the Holidays, for Weddings, etc. It is a gift that will grow in value as well.

Secondly, Dr.H.Walter Lack in his book on the Liechtenstein Codex says that this Florilegium is one of the TOP THREE ever commissioned (the other two being the Liechtenstein Codex and the Jardin du Roi of Louis XIII).

I own all three books and without a doubt, this on is THE MOST beautiful in its exceptional presentation.

Therefore, if you own an example of just one Florilegium, this is the absolute best yet published.