Pierre-Joseph Redouté, was a painter and botanist from the Austrian Netherlands, known for his watercolours of roses, lilies and other flowers at the Chateau de Malmison, many of which were published as large coloured stipple engravings. He has been called the greatest botanical illustrator of all time.

Royal Patronage: Redouté enjoyed a remarkable career under the patronage of French royalty, serving as the official court artist to Queen Marie Antoinette and later becoming the master painter for Empress Joséphine Bonaparte, Napoleon's first wife . He survived the French Revolution by aligning with new political powers, continuing his work through a period of immense turmoil .

Scientific Collaboration & Technique: He worked closely with leading botanists of his day, such as Charles Louis L'Héritier, who taught him plant anatomy . Redouté mastered a watercolor and stipple engraving technique that allowed for subtle color variations and meticulous detail, making his work invaluable for both science and art .

Prolific Publications: Throughout his life, Redouté contributed to nearly fifty publications . His most famous works are the magnificent folios "Les Liliacées" (1802-1816), featuring over 400 plates of lilies, and "Les Roses" (1817-1824), which contains nearly 170 plates of roses and remains his best-known achievement . In total, he produced over 2,100 published plates depicting more than 1,800 different plant species .

Later Life and Legacy: After Empress Joséphine's death, Redouté was appointed a master of draughtsmanship at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, where he taught flower painting . His work continues to be highly sought after and reproduced, inspiring artists and nature lovers to this day .

Redouté's legacy endures because he perfectly blended scientific precision with delicate artistry. His paintings are not just beautiful; they are faithful and detailed records of the plants he depicted. This combination ensures his work remains a benchmark for botanical illustration and a timeless celebration of natural beauty.