This is one of a small grouping of RARE antique 1903 French botanicals that we recently purchased. It features the “Cattleya", recognized as one of the most beautiful and desired of the hybrid orchids. The chromolithograph is signed by the artist in lower left. It is from a French Beaux-Arts portfolio of 4 volumes of "Encyclopedie de la Plante", an “artistique” and “documentaire” collection of botanical plates. This image has wonderful rich textured colors of purple, lavender and green tones. There is a beautiful depth of detail and quality in both the blossoms and the leaves. Note the rich lushness in the flower petals. The flowers are set against a neutral cream tone background which adds a subtle beauty and interest to the piece. The techonology of chromolithography was a time consuming process developed in the 1860s. It ultilized the use of multiple stones, one for each color. It was an expensive technique that required skilled craftsmen. This process of successive layering of colors and tones resulted in a beauty much like handpainted oil paintings. It was targeted primarily to the art-oriented audiences of the time. Today, chromolithpgraphs are considered "fine art". The expensive process was replaced by cheaper offset printing in the late 1930s. This botanical is clean and pristine! No indications of age markings. It measures 11.5 x 15 inches. Clean borders. Please see companion botanicals from this series in our shop.