Large Double-China Aster 2 - 1793

John Edwards made this botanical illustration of a Double-China Aster using watercolor and graphite on paper, sometime between his birth in 1763 and his death in 1806. The choice of watercolor as a medium is significant. It allows for a delicacy and translucency that mirrors the fragile beauty of the flower itself. Look closely, and you'll see how Edwards masterfully layers the pigments to capture the subtle gradations of color in the petals, and the play of light on the leaves. Graphite adds fine details and structural support to the composition. Edwards work isn't just a straightforward representation. It reflects the growing interest in natural history and scientific illustration during the 18th century. These detailed depictions played a crucial role in the classification and understanding of the natural world. The amount of work required to create such detailed image elevated the status of craft, design and materiality in the creative processes, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.