Sir John Hill (1714-1775) - The Vegetable System

Sir John Hill (1714-1775)
Botanical Plate (Pl. 17) from "The Vegetable System"
Description of the work:
A precious copper engraving, finely hand-watercolored at the time, drawn from the vastest botanical work ever published in the eighteenth century. The plate illustrates several species with extraordinary scientific detail, typical of Hill's approach, who was among the first to adopt Linnaeus's classification system in England. Among the depicted plants stand out a Mamillaria cactus and a Sea Pancratium, rendered with a chromatic vivacity that only eighteenth-century hand coloring can reproduce.
Hill's work is famous not only for its precision but also for the artistic elegance of the plates, which were produced under the patronage of Lord Boyce and earned the author the Order of Vasa from the King of Sweden.
Technical Details:
Author: Sir John Hill.
Title of the work: The Vegetable System.
Dating: circa 1760-1770.
Technique: Copper engraving (etching/burr) with hand coloring.
Identification: "Pl. 17" (Plate 17) visible in the upper right.
Engraver: At the bottom center is the engraver's signature (likely Boyce, sculptor, collaborator in Hill's workshop).
Condition:
The work presents in excellent condition for its age. The paper carries the typical patina of time that guarantees its authenticity. It is framed in a light wood frame with a fine green-and-gold passe-partout, which enhances its antique aesthetic without harming the sheet.