IDENTIFIERS ----------- id: 23111 accession number: PD.269-1973 DATE AUDIT ---------- created: Saturday 6 August 2011 updated: Thursday 17 July 2025 DESCRIPTIVE DATA ---------------- object type: This is a botanical illustration showing a chrysanthemum with a distinctive spider or thread-petal form. The flower head features delicate, ribbon-like petals in white with pink tips, creating an airy, almost ethereal appearance. The petals curl and twist gracefully, radiating from a central point. The stem is rendered in a fresh green colour and supports several deeply lobed chrysanthemum leaves typical of the species. In early 19th century, Chinese botanical illustrations were often commissioned by European botanists, naturalists, and wealthy collectors who were eager to document and understand Asian flora. Chinese artists, working primarily in watercolours, adapted their traditional painting techniques to meet European demands for scientific accuracy while maintaining their distinctive artistic style. These illustrations became important resources for European botanical studies, contributing significantly to the documentation and understanding of Asian plant species in the West. These works now serve as valuable records of both botanical history and cross-cultural artistic exchange during a period of increasing global connection. Previously described as "single flower on its stem". title: drawing LICENSING --------- text license status: CC0 image license status: CC-BY-NC-SA OWNERSHIP --------- instutition: The Fitzwilliam Museum department: Paintings, Drawings and Prints collection: Broughton Collection STABLE URL ---------- url: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/23111 SUBJECTS ------------------- plant plant TECHNIQUES ---------- bodycolour on paper watercolour CATEGORIES ------ category: drawing DATING ------ creation date: 1800 - 1800 creation date earliest: 1800 creation date latest: 1800 culture: 19th Century CREATORS -------- maker: Canton workshop