The mandrake (1739)

This page presents "The mandrake" (1739), created by Elizabeth Blackwell. Plants & Animals in brief: 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. Historical background, 1739: 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 Enlightenment and the habit of the Grand Tour fed a wider interest in science, travel, antiquity, and natural history, and illustrators accompanied many expeditions. The catalogue places it in Plants & Animals. The format is portrait.

On onlly.art "The mandrake" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks.

Scottish, 1707–1758

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