A Passion For Orchids: The Most Beautiful Orchid Portraits And Their Artists

by Jack Kramer, Eric Strachan (Photographer)

Since ancient times the orchid has been a source of fascination and inspiration -- not just for horticulturists but for artists, writers, historians and others drawn to their mysterious beauty and unparalleled variety. Collected by one of America's foremost orchid experts, this treasury of more than sixty antique orchid illustrations offers a cultural history of the flower as well as sublime reproductions by famous botanical artists.The world's obsession with the orchid can be traced to ancient Chinese calligraphers and Japanese illustrators who included the flower in their beautifully rendered landscapes. By the eighteenth century orchid collecting was an established pastime in Europe. A generation later saw the publication of lavish, expensive books devoted to the flower. The passion for orchids continues to this day, with more than 35,000 known varieties and more being propagated every day. In A Passion for Orchids Jack Kramer offers an intriguing cultural history of the flower. Stunning color plates by such renowned botanical illustrators as Martin J. Heade, Lucien Linden and Walter Hood Fitch are accompanied by brief histories of the artists, making this collection of orchid lore and art a unique addition to the libraries of art lovers, horticulturists, and collectors of this strangely alluring flower.

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

About the author

Jack Kramer is one of America's foremost gardening experts with more than 100 books to his credit. For eight years he wrote a syndicated column for the Los Angeles Times. He is the author of the best-selling 1000 Beautiful Houseplants and Your Homemade Greenhouse. He lives in and Naples, Florida.

Reviews

[Jennet headstones · Rating 5 out of 5]

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