Description
An original 1862 watercolour painting Madeira Island Portuguese Caravel Man o' War. A beautiful 19th-century natural history watercolour depicting vibrant fauna on the island of Madeira. This beautiful watercolour forms part of an unusual collection of works that we have for sale documenting the unique flora & fauna of Madeira island in the 19th century. Thanks to the island's isolation & mild climate, species continue to thrive in Madeira that in the rest of the continent now exist only as fossils. Madeira has one of the best preserved vegetation of Macaronesia; there are more than 150 known endemic plant species. These vibrant watercolours dating from 1862 show colourful flowers, fruit, insects & fishincluding Madeira Wolf Spiders (Hogna Maderiana), Vinhatico Mahogany & Pitanga Fruit, Duranta Flower, Sphinx of Euphorbia Hawkmoth Caterpillars & a Portuguese Man o' War, amongst others. They date from a time when the study of the island's plant & animal life was in its infancy; only later in the century & into the 20th century would the international scientific community turn its attention increasingly to this under-explored region. in the early 19th century Madeira was such a draw for the British that it was virtually a British colony. The island had a long-established permanent English-speaking community mainly involved in the wine trade. Most visitors belonged to the moneyed aristocracy, & many wintered on the island as prescribed by doctors to treat respiratory conditions. As a result, there was a need to prepare guides for visitors; the first tourist guide of Madeira appeared in 1850 & focused on elements of history, geology, flora, fauna & customs of the island. Our artist is likely one such visitor, but one who had a greater than average interest in the specificities of the island's species; notes accompanying the collection show the artist's desire not only to capture the island's flora & fauna on paper, but also to accurately record their correct nomenclature. Some light foxing as shown. Madeira Island Portuguese Caravel Man O' War - 1862 Watercolour Painting
