Odontoglossum grande 1885 - 1906

Jean Jules Linden made this print of Odontoglossum grande, or the tiger orchid, sometime in the mid-19th century. It reflects the Victorian-era obsession with botanical exploration and classification. Orchids, especially exotic ones like this, became potent symbols of wealth and social status. Plant collecting was more than just a hobby; it was tied to imperial expansion, with botanists and explorers acting as agents of empire, extracting natural resources – including living specimens – from colonized lands. Institutions like Kew Gardens in London played a central role in this, directing expeditions and controlling the global trade in plants. Prints such as these played a crucial role in popularizing orchids, feeding the public’s appetite for the exotic and driving demand for new species. The study of these images, alongside archival records, trade publications, and scientific literature, allows us to understand the complex relationship between art, science, and empire in the 19th century.