Botanical plate Large-flowered Snapdragon by Pierre-Joseph Redouté

Large-Flowered Snapdragon (Antirrhinum) is an engraving that highlights the distinctive beauty of this plant with its spectacular flowers and lush leaves. Pierre-Joseph Redouté, the famous 18th-century botanical illustrator, demonstrates his expertise in depicting the different shades and shapes of flora.

In the publication dated 1827 from which the plate is taken, the detail of this illustration is given as follows:
(Antirrhinum majus L.) This beautiful species, whose true homeland seems to be the south of Europe, now grows on the old walls of towns and villages throughout temperate Europe. It has long been cultivated as an ornamental plant. Cultivation, sowing and crossbreeding have led to various modifications in the color of its flowers and in its foliage. Among the most remarkable are: 1° a white corolla with fairly broad leaves (Antirrhinum album des jardiniers); 2° a fiery-colored corolla, with a golden palate (Antirrhinum fulgens); 3° a pure white corolla tube, with a bright purple limb and narrow leaves (Antirrhinum bicolor); 4° a pink and yellow variegated corolla, with lanceolate, glabrous or pubescent leaves (Antirrhinum variegatum); 5° variegated, narrow leaves with a white corolla (Antirrhinum foliis variegatis); 6° double, pale red, slightly fragrant flowers (Antirrhinum majus, flore pleno).