Gentian (1780)

"Gentian" (1780) is a work by Joshua Webster. Context for 1780: In Japan, ukiyo-e woodblock printing flourished in the Edo period and made colour prints a popular and affordable art form. The eighteenth century began with the light, ornamental Rococo, especially in France, and moved towards the clarity and antique references of Neoclassicism by the end of the century. The catalogue places it in Plants & Animals. The format is portrait. Background on Plants & Animals: Images of plants and animals are valued both for the care of their observation and for their decorative appeal. Naturalists and artists often worked together, especially on voyages and in published surveys of flora and fauna.

Everything for "Gentian" arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

English, 1711-1803

If you like the visual language of Joshua Webster, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.