Ligusticum cornubiense (Cornish Lovage) Possibly 1792 - 1793

James Sowerby captured *Ligusticum cornubiense*, or Cornish Lovage, with watercolor and graphite on paper. During Sowerby's time, the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the visual representation of flora and fauna was both an artistic pursuit and a scientific endeavor. Sowerby was a part of a broad cultural movement, deeply entangled with the rise of scientific exploration and documentation, set against the backdrop of colonial expansion and the Enlightenment’s quest for knowledge. In his meticulous botanical illustration we see a reflection of his era’s fascination with cataloging the natural world. Sowerby turns a critical eye to this plant. He develops an alternative narrative, focusing on the inherent beauty and complexity of the botanical world. Sowerby’s delicate rendering reminds us of the intricate relationships between humans and the environment and invites us to reflect on our role in its preservation.