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'Astonishing' rare plant paintings on display in Oxford 'Astonishing' rare plant paintings on display in Oxford
(1 day later)
The paintings behind one of the rarest and most expensive botanical and zoological books have gone on display.The paintings behind one of the rarest and most expensive botanical and zoological books have gone on display.
The Flora Graeca took 54 years (1806-40) to produce and contains watercolour paintings by botanical artist Ferdinand Bauer. The Flora Graeca took 34 years (1806-40) to produce and contains watercolour paintings by botanical artist Ferdinand Bauer.
He made hundreds of sketches during a two-year trip in Greece and Turkey before spending six years painting them in Oxford, where they are being shown.He made hundreds of sketches during a two-year trip in Greece and Turkey before spending six years painting them in Oxford, where they are being shown.
Curator Stephen Harris said they were "astonishingly accurate".Curator Stephen Harris said they were "astonishingly accurate".
Only 25 copies of the book were published, due to it having 10 double folio volumes and numerous illustrations, and it then cost more than £620.Only 25 copies of the book were published, due to it having 10 double folio volumes and numerous illustrations, and it then cost more than £620.
The display, at the Weston Library, also includes paintings of marine animals never seen in public before.The display, at the Weston Library, also includes paintings of marine animals never seen in public before.
It is estimated Bauer, who died in 1826, made a painting every one-and-a-half days and used a unique numbering system to ensure he used the most accurate colours.It is estimated Bauer, who died in 1826, made a painting every one-and-a-half days and used a unique numbering system to ensure he used the most accurate colours.
In some cases, he saw the plant or animal once and painted it up to six years later.In some cases, he saw the plant or animal once and painted it up to six years later.
Mr Harris said: "Bauer's paintings are among the world's finest natural history illustrations.Mr Harris said: "Bauer's paintings are among the world's finest natural history illustrations.
"It's great to be able to show the materials, methods and processes Bauer used to produce these remarkable paintings and show them in the city where they were created.""It's great to be able to show the materials, methods and processes Bauer used to produce these remarkable paintings and show them in the city where they were created."