Centaurea (Plate 37) by Pierre Joseph Redouté, 1805
Authentic artwork
The artwork we print is faithfully restored from the original source - usually a museum, auction house or private collection.
We never replace, redraw or invent the artist’s work using generative AI.
Restored in our London workshop from the original 1805 artwork and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.The Collector’s Offer
Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.
Restored in London • Printed and framed in the USA
Authentic artwork
The artwork we print is faithfully restored from the original source - usually a museum, auction house or private collection.
We never replace, redraw or invent the artist’s work using generative AI.
Restored from the original 1805 artwork and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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Gift message & custom finish
If you want to add a gift message, or a finish (jigsaw, aluminium board, etc.) that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
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Pierre-Joseph Redouté’s Plate 37 from La botanique de J. J. Rousseau, issued in 1805, presents a Centaurea specimen as a poised arrangement...
Continue readingPierre-Joseph Redouté’s Plate 37 from La botanique de J. J. Rousseau, issued in 1805, presents a Centaurea specimen as a poised arrangement of three blue flower heads, slender stems and elongated green leaves. The plant rises through a generous field of warm white, its branching structure carefully balanced without appearing rigid. Jagged petals and darker flower bases give the blooms substance, while delicate shifts from clear blue to softer, paler tones preserve their lightness.
Centaurea is a varied genus that includes plants commonly known as knapweeds and cornflowers, although this plate does not supply enough information to assign the specimen a precise species here. Redouté’s treatment belongs to a tradition in which botanical illustration served scientific study while also rewarding aesthetic attention. Created for a work associated with Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s botanical writings, the plate inherits the Enlightenment emphasis on close observation, classification and the direct study of nature. Redouté was particularly admired for bringing exceptional refinement to that task, making each specimen both legible and gracefully composed.
A closer look
The central bloom provides the visual anchor. Its radiating petals form a dense, irregular crown above a subtly shaded base, with two further flowers positioned at different heights to either side. This slight asymmetry prevents the composition from becoming diagrammatic: the eye moves from one head to the next, following the angled stems upwards. Variations in saturation distinguish the individual flowers, from deeper blue within the folded petals to lighter touches along their exposed edges.
Below, the foliage creates a quieter counter-rhythm. Narrow leaves curve away from the stems in alternating directions, their pointed tips and fine veins recorded with restrained precision. Darker greens collect where leaves overlap or meet the stalk, producing a gentle sense of depth without the need for a conventional landscape or setting. A developing bud near the lower left introduces another stage in the plant’s growth, its compact form contrasting with the fully opened flowers above.
The unoccupied ground is integral to the design. Rather than surrounding the Centaurea with decorative scenery, Redouté leaves ample space around every stem and leaf, allowing the specimen’s structure to be read at a glance. Against the faintly creamy background, the blue and green remain fresh but never strident. Soft tonal transitions and exceptionally controlled linework reconcile two distinct aims: the clarity expected of a botanical plate and the visual ease of an independent floral study.
Context and significance
Redouté became one of the defining botanical artists of his era, working in France across a period of profound political and cultural change. His reputation rests especially on his studies of roses, lilies and other cultivated plants, yet plates such as this reveal the broader discipline behind that fame. He was able to isolate the identifying structures of a specimen while preserving its characteristic movement—the slight bend of a stalk, the weight of a flower head, or the irregular spread of foliage.
La botanique de J. J. Rousseau also reflects a moment when botany occupied a place between specialist science and cultivated education. Rousseau’s writings encouraged readers to understand plants through attentive first-hand study, and Redouté’s illustrations gave that principle a compelling visual form. In Plate 37, classification begins with looking: the viewer is guided from flower to bud, from branching stem to leaf vein, discovering how botanical precision can produce a composition of remarkable economy and grace.
Choosing the right size and finish
Artwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.
If you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, ask our workshop for advice.
The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. See examples of personalised artwork.
Choose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. See examples of our Aged artwork.
Every piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.
Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.
Selected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and specialist framing are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, contact our workshop.
This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.
Pierre-Joseph Redouté’s Plate 37 from La botanique de J. J. Rousseau, issued in 1805, presents a Centaurea specimen as a poised arrangement of three blue flower heads, slender stems and elongated green leaves. The plant rises through a generous field of warm white, its branching structure carefully balanced without appearing rigid. Jagged petals and darker flower bases give the blooms substance, while delicate shifts from clear blue to softer, paler tones preserve their lightness.
Centaurea is a varied genus that includes plants commonly known as knapweeds and cornflowers, although this plate does not supply enough information to assign the specimen a precise species here. Redouté’s treatment belongs to a tradition in which botanical illustration served scientific study while also rewarding aesthetic attention. Created for a work associated with Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s botanical writings, the plate inherits the Enlightenment emphasis on close observation, classification and the direct study of nature. Redouté was particularly admired for bringing exceptional refinement to that task, making each specimen both legible and gracefully composed.
A closer look
The central bloom provides the visual anchor. Its radiating petals form a dense, irregular crown above a subtly shaded base, with two further flowers positioned at different heights to either side. This slight asymmetry prevents the composition from becoming diagrammatic: the eye moves from one head to the next, following the angled stems upwards. Variations in saturation distinguish the individual flowers, from deeper blue within the folded petals to lighter touches along their exposed edges.
Below, the foliage creates a quieter counter-rhythm. Narrow leaves curve away from the stems in alternating directions, their pointed tips and fine veins recorded with restrained precision. Darker greens collect where leaves overlap or meet the stalk, producing a gentle sense of depth without the need for a conventional landscape or setting. A developing bud near the lower left introduces another stage in the plant’s growth, its compact form contrasting with the fully opened flowers above.
The unoccupied ground is integral to the design. Rather than surrounding the Centaurea with decorative scenery, Redouté leaves ample space around every stem and leaf, allowing the specimen’s structure to be read at a glance. Against the faintly creamy background, the blue and green remain fresh but never strident. Soft tonal transitions and exceptionally controlled linework reconcile two distinct aims: the clarity expected of a botanical plate and the visual ease of an independent floral study.
Context and significance
Redouté became one of the defining botanical artists of his era, working in France across a period of profound political and cultural change. His reputation rests especially on his studies of roses, lilies and other cultivated plants, yet plates such as this reveal the broader discipline behind that fame. He was able to isolate the identifying structures of a specimen while preserving its characteristic movement—the slight bend of a stalk, the weight of a flower head, or the irregular spread of foliage.
La botanique de J. J. Rousseau also reflects a moment when botany occupied a place between specialist science and cultivated education. Rousseau’s writings encouraged readers to understand plants through attentive first-hand study, and Redouté’s illustrations gave that principle a compelling visual form. In Plate 37, classification begins with looking: the viewer is guided from flower to bud, from branching stem to leaf vein, discovering how botanical precision can produce a composition of remarkable economy and grace.
Choosing the right size and finish
Artwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.
If you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, ask our workshop for advice.
The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. See examples of personalised artwork.
Choose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. See examples of our Aged artwork.
Every piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.
Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.
Selected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and specialist framing are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, contact our workshop.
This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.
Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.
Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.
We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.
- We can deliver directly to the recipient
- Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
- Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
- Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
- 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide
If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.
Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.
We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.
Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.
Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.
Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.
If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.
Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.
Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.
Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.
We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.
Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.
Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.
All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.
If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.
We work with interior designers, hospitality businesses, property professionals, offices and corporate buyers on individual pieces and larger coordinated projects.
This artwork can be adapted for a particular wall, room or project, and our workshop can help coordinate the dimensions, material and framing before production.
- Exact, oversized and made-to-measure dimensions
- Custom framing, mounting and alternative materials
- Coordinated pieces for several rooms or locations
- Art personalisation, to adjust the colour and style of the piece
- Art and framing guidance from our workshop
- Local production for projects around the world
Every restored art print begins with the original artist’s work—never an AI-generated replacement.
Our London studio works from carefully selected source material from museums, libraries, archives and private collections. We restore age-related damage, faded colour and imperfect reproduction while preserving the artist’s composition, brushwork, line, texture and period character.
We do not use generative AI to redraw, reinterpret or invent the artwork. Digital restoration is used only to recover and reproduce the original work as faithfully as possible.
Once restored, the master artwork is prepared for your chosen size and finish. Your piece is then printed and, where selected, framed close to its delivery destination.
Our giclée art prints use acid-free 200gsm archival matte paper and fade-resistant pigment inks for a rich, museum-quality finish. Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
Framed canvas and specialist cotton-rag editions are also available. Learn more about our materials and finishes.
We’ve been restoring and producing maps and art prints since 1984, and we stand behind every piece.
Every order is covered by our 10-year guarantee and damage-free delivery guarantee. If your piece arrives damaged, we’ll replace or remake it free of charge. If anything else isn’t right, contact our workshop team and we’ll put it right promptly.
See our returns and refund policy for full details.
