Plate 70: Water Rose & Ranunculus, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 70 of 'A New Book of Chinese Designs', consisting of a title page, index, and 120 plates, etched and published in 1754 by the British caricaturist, printseller and ornamental engraver Matthew Darly, in collaboration with George Edwards. The book consists of a variety of ornamental and costume designs of Chinese inspiration, some of them copies of the original works (including the title).
This plate represents a water rose and ranunculus, with branches surfacing from the water, with flowers, leaves, and flower buds, next to a trunk with bunches of thin leaves. A butterfly stands on one leaf, under a bundle of flowers, and another butterfly flies above the highest branch. The water is calm around the plant.
