Botanical Art

Portuguese botanical illustrations—closely linked to 18th‑century “Philosophical Journeys” and colonial agricultural research—are best consulted in Lisbon’s botanical institutions and national archives. These collections contain historic drawings, watercolor studies of tropical plants, and related scientific documentation. Top places to find them: - Jardim Botânico da Ajuda (Lisbon): Portugal’s oldest garden (est. 1768), historically associated with the Casa do Risco, where scientific illustrators worked. - Lisbon Botanical Garden (JBL) & Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência: Large historical holdings, including drawings from 19th‑century expeditions. - Jardim Botânico Tropical (Belém, Lisbon): Specializes in tropical flora and documentation tied to colonial agriculture. - Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal (Lisbon): Holds rare books, manuscripts, and artistic botanical illustrations. - Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra: Founded in 1774, with significant material related to 18th‑century European botanical study. - Tropical Research Institute (IICT) Archives (Lisbon): Archives often include drawings and reports from the Philosophical Journeys to Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique. Historical context: - Royal patronage and reform: After the 1755 earthquake, botanical gardens were developed to study and classify new species for the crown. - Scientific expeditions: Many illustrations were produced during the Philosophical Journeys (from the 1780s onward) documenting tropical flora for European science. - Styles: Early works emphasize precise watercolor techniques for classification; by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, decorative influences such as Art Nouveau appear.