Botanisk radering 1850 - 1899

Augusta Thornam made this botanical etching, called "Botanisk radering", at an unknown date. This detailed rendering of plant life is more than just a pretty picture. In 19th-century Denmark, botanical illustration played a vital role in scientific study and education. The images helped to classify and understand the natural world at a time of increasing imperial expansion and colonisation. It was also a tool for nation-building, when the project to document the natural resources of the nation was taking place, often led by learned societies and institutions. Consider the meticulous detail. Note how Thornam’s etching reflects a broader cultural fascination with observation and documentation. Looking at this image with an understanding of its time helps us see it as part of a larger story. We can research things like botanical texts, scientific illustrations, and the history of institutions like botanical gardens and herbaria. In this way we can understand the social and institutional contexts of the art.