# Pierre-Joseph Redouté

> Belgian painter and botanist (1759–1840)

**Wikidata**: [Q551638](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q551638)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre-Joseph_Redouté)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pierre-joseph-redoute

## Summary
Pierre-Joseph Redouté was a Belgian painter and botanist renowned for his exquisite botanical illustrations, particularly of roses and other flowers. Active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, he became one of the most celebrated botanical artists in history, earning the nickname "Le Raphaël des fleurs" (The Raphael of flowers) for his meticulous and artistic depictions of plant life.

## Biography
- **Born**: July 10, 1759, in Saint-Hubert, Southern Netherlands (modern-day Belgium)
- **Nationality**: Belgian (by birth), French (by affiliation)
- **Education**: Trained as a painter and draftsman, with a focus on botanical illustration
- **Known for**: Botanical illustrations, particularly of roses, lilies, and other flowers, as well as his work for French royalty and nobility
- **Employer(s)**: French royal court, Joséphine de Beauharnais (Empress of the French), Marie Antoinette (Queen of France)
- **Field(s)**: Botanical illustration, painting, printmaking, botany

## Contributions
Pierre-Joseph Redouté is best known for his botanical illustrations, which were both scientifically accurate and artistically masterful. His most famous works include:
- **"Les Roses" (1817–1824)**: A series of stipple engravings depicting various species of roses, commissioned by Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais. This work cemented his reputation as the foremost botanical illustrator of his time.
- **"Les Liliacées" (1802–1816)**: An eight-volume work featuring illustrations of lilies and other monocotyledonous plants, showcasing his ability to blend scientific precision with artistic beauty.
- **"Choix des plus belles fleurs et de quelques branches des plus beaux fruits" (1827)**: A book featuring some of his most stunning botanical illustrations, further solidifying his legacy in the field.
- **Collaboration with Prominent Botanists**: Redouté worked closely with botanists such as Charles Louis L’Héritier de Brutelle and Étienne Pierre Ventenat, contributing to the scientific documentation of plant species.
- **Royal Patronage**: His work was highly sought after by French royalty, including Marie Antoinette and Joséphine de Beauharnais, who commissioned numerous illustrations for their gardens and collections.

## FAQs
**What is Pierre-Joseph Redouté best known for?**
Pierre-Joseph Redouté is best known for his botanical illustrations, particularly his depictions of roses and lilies. His works, such as "Les Roses" and "Les Liliacées," are celebrated for their scientific accuracy and artistic beauty, earning him the nickname "Le Raphaël des fleurs."

**Who were Pierre-Joseph Redouté’s notable patrons?**
Redouté’s work was patronized by prominent figures in French history, including Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the French Revolution, and Joséphine de Beauharnais, the Empress consort of the French from 1804 to 1814. His illustrations were highly valued in royal and noble circles.

**What techniques did Pierre-Joseph Redouté use in his illustrations?**
Redouté employed stipple engraving, a printmaking technique that allowed for fine detail and texture in his botanical illustrations. This method, combined with his keen observational skills, resulted in highly realistic and visually stunning depictions of plants.

**Where can Pierre-Joseph Redouté’s works be found today?**
Many of Redouté’s original illustrations and prints are held in museums, libraries, and private collections around the world. His works are also widely reproduced in books and exhibitions dedicated to botanical art.

**What is the significance of Pierre-Joseph Redouté’s work in botany?**
Redouté’s illustrations were not only artistic masterpieces but also valuable scientific documents. His detailed depictions of plant species contributed to the study of botany, aiding botanists in the classification and understanding of various plants.

## Why They Matter
Pierre-Joseph Redouté’s work bridges the gap between art and science, making significant contributions to both fields. His botanical illustrations are celebrated for their beauty and precision, serving as both artistic masterpieces and scientific records. His collaborations with prominent botanists and patronage by French royalty elevated the status of botanical illustration, influencing generations of artists and scientists. Without his work, the documentation and appreciation of plant species during the late 18th and early 19th centuries would be far less rich and detailed.

## Notable For
- **Nickname**: "Le Raphaël des fleurs" (The Raphael of flowers)
- **Major Works**: "Les Roses," "Les Liliacées," "Choix des plus belles fleurs et de quelques branches des plus beaux fruits"
- **Patronage**: Commissioned by Marie Antoinette and Joséphine de Beauharnais
- **Technique**: Mastery of stipple engraving for botanical illustrations
- **Collaborations**: Worked with prominent botanists such as Charles Louis L’Héritier de Brutelle and Étienne Pierre Ventenat
- **Legacy**: One of the most celebrated botanical illustrators in history, with works held in major museums and collections worldwide

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Pierre-Joseph Redouté was born on July 10, 1759, in Saint-Hubert, a town in the Southern Netherlands (now part of Belgium). He was trained as a painter and draftsman, with a particular focus on botanical illustration. His early education and training laid the foundation for his later work, which would blend artistic skill with scientific precision.

### Career and Patronage
Redouté’s career flourished in France, where he became a sought-after botanical illustrator. His work caught the attention of French royalty, including Marie Antoinette, who commissioned illustrations for her gardens at the Petit Trianon. After the French Revolution, he continued to work for Joséphine de Beauharnais, the Empress consort of Napoleon I, who was an avid gardener and plant collector. Joséphine’s patronage allowed Redouté to create some of his most famous works, including "Les Roses" and "Les Liliacées."

### Major Works
- **"Les Roses" (1817–1824)**: This series of stipple engravings is one of Redouté’s most celebrated works. Commissioned by Joséphine de Beauharnais, it features detailed and artistic depictions of various rose species, showcasing Redouté’s mastery of botanical illustration.
- **"Les Liliacées" (1802–1816)**: An eight-volume work that includes illustrations of lilies and other monocotyledonous plants. This series is noted for its scientific accuracy and artistic beauty, making it a valuable resource for both botanists and art enthusiasts.
- **"Choix des plus belles fleurs et de quelques branches des plus beaux fruits" (1827)**: This book features some of Redouté’s most stunning botanical illustrations, further solidifying his reputation as a leading botanical artist.

### Techniques and Style
Redouté was known for his use of stipple engraving, a printmaking technique that involves creating images using small dots. This method allowed him to achieve fine detail and texture in his illustrations, resulting in highly realistic and visually appealing depictions of plants. His ability to blend scientific precision with artistic beauty set his work apart from other botanical illustrators of his time.

### Collaborations and Influence
Redouté collaborated with prominent botanists, including Charles Louis L’Héritier de Brutelle and Étienne Pierre Ventenat. These collaborations contributed to the scientific documentation of plant species, aiding in their classification and study. His work also influenced generations of botanical illustrators, who sought to emulate his style and technique.

### Legacy and Recognition
Pierre-Joseph Redouté’s legacy endures through his extensive body of work, which continues to be celebrated for its artistic and scientific value. His illustrations are held in major museums and collections worldwide, and his techniques and style remain influential in the field of botanical illustration. His contributions to both art and science have earned him a lasting place in history as one of the greatest botanical illustrators of all time.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. The Fine Art Archive
4. [Rosa centifolia](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/83098-pierre-joseph-redoute-rosa-centifolia)
5. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/b740eaa0-0679-41dc-acb7-990d562dfa37)
6. Le cimetière du Père-Lachaise
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CiNii Research
10. International Plant Names Index
11. MusicBrainz
12. Pierre Joseph Redouté. RKDartists
13. Pierre Joseph Redouté. Biografisch Portaal
14. [Pierre Joseph Redoute. Léonore database](http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/leonore_fr?ACTION=CHERCHER&FIELD_1=COTE&VALUE_1=LH/2282/86)
15. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
16. SNAC
17. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
18. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
19. Redouté, Pierre-Joseph
20. GeneaStar
21. Roglo
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. RKDartists
24. Union List of Artist Names. 2017
25. LIBRIS. 2018
26. [Source](https://collections.frick.org/people/22/pierrejoseph-redoute/objects)
27. catalogo.beniculturali.it
28. [Source](https://library.nga.gov/permalink/01NGA_INST/1cl1g8d/alma991191133504896)