Antique botanical poster Enkianthus Quinqueflorus by Pierre-Joseph Redouté

Enkianthus Quinqueflorus is an engraving that highlights the delicate beauty of this plant with its bell-shaped flowers and elegant leaves. Pierre-Joseph Redouté, the famous 18th-century botanical illustrator, demonstrates his talent for capturing the grace and vivacity of plants through his engravings.

In the publication dated 1827 from which the plate is taken, the detail of this illustration is given as follows:
Under the name Enkianthus quinqueflorus, Loureiro, in his Flora of Cochinchina, had described a plant that remained almost unknown to botanists. But in the year 1814, a few flowering specimens were received in England, with the help of which it was possible to convince oneself that it was the plant described by Loureiro. At the same time, it was recognized that it frequently appeared among the paintings of the Chinese. It is indeed China that Enkianthus quinqueflorus has as its homeland. Its flowers and bracts of a beautiful pink are pleasing to the eye. This plant belongs to the Ericinea family.