{"product_id":"cultivated-banana-musa-paradisiaca-plate-22-by-pierre-joseph-redoute-1805","title":"Cultivated Banana (Musa paradisiaca, Plate 22) by Pierre Joseph Redouté, 1805","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eLes liliacées, Pl. 22\u003c\/em\u003e, dated 1805, Pierre-Joseph Redouté presents \u003cem\u003eMusa paradisiaca\u003c\/em\u003e—identified in the plate’s French caption as the cultivated banana, or \u003cem\u003eBananier cultivé\u003c\/em\u003e—as both a monumental plant and a precisely observed botanical specimen. Broad, deep-green leaves rise around a sturdy central stem, while a compact cluster of yellow-green bananas appears beneath the upper foliage. Smaller studies of the flower and leaf structures accompany the main plant, turning a single composition into a concise visual account of its growth and anatomy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRedouté was among the most accomplished botanical artists working in France during the early nineteenth century. His reputation rests on an unusual ability to reconcile scientific description with compositional refinement: plants remain legible as specimens, yet are arranged with the balance and delicacy of finished works of art. This plate belonged to his celebrated \u003cem\u003eLes liliacées\u003c\/em\u003e project, produced during a period of energetic botanical collecting, classification and publication. The inclusion of \u003cem\u003eMusa paradisiaca\u003c\/em\u003e also reflects the broader botanical groupings used at the time; modern taxonomy places bananas in the family Musaceae rather than among the lilies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA closer look\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe principal stem occupies the vertical centre of the plate, but the leaves prevent the composition from becoming rigid. Their long blades spread outwards at varied angles, overlapping one another and creating a layered canopy. Fine veins run through the green surfaces, while softly graduated shadows suggest folds, thickness and the slight irregularities of living foliage. Minute blemishes interrupt the otherwise controlled finish, preserving something of the plant’s natural condition rather than reducing it to an idealised diagram.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the upper right, the fruit forms the densest passage in the composition. Each banana is distinguished through subtle contour and shading, with green passing into warmer yellow and ochre notes. The surrounding leaves partly conceal the cluster, creating a convincing sense of botanical growth while still allowing its structure to be read. Redouté’s restrained modelling gives the fruit volume without competing with the broader sweep of the plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe subsidiary details are particularly revealing. On the left, the banana flower is rendered in muted yellow-brown tones, its pointed forms carefully separated and outlined. Below it sits a more subdued study of a flower bud, while several small observations on the right clarify the attachments and structure of the leaves. These elements are isolated against the pale ground, where generous negative space allows each form to be examined without distraction. The Latin name and French identification at the lower right complete the plate’s union of visual elegance and botanical instruction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eContext and significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRedouté worked at a moment when botanical illustration served several audiences at once. Such plates helped record and communicate plant knowledge, but they were also admired for their colour, draughtsmanship and decorative poise. His compositions rarely resemble crowded herbarium displays. Instead, he gave individual specimens room to unfold across the page, using contour, tonal transition and carefully judged spacing to make botanical distinctions immediately intelligible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat approach is especially effective here because the banana plant is expansive by nature. Redouté compresses its imposing scale into a lucid vertical arrangement without losing the breadth of the leaves or the weight of the fruit. The result combines the clarity of a scientific study with a powerful sense of the plant’s physical presence—a cultivated species made unfamiliar again through close, disciplined observation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoosing the right size and finish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eArtwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, \u003ca href=\"\/it\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop for advice\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 36x24in (90x60cm) version of this art print.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. \u003ca href=\"\/it\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee examples of personalised artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/sepia-aged-maps\"\u003eSee examples of our Aged artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFramed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSelected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/custom-framing\"\u003especialist framing\u003c\/a\u003e are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact our workshop\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"A4 (210x297mm) \/ Art print","offer_id":59998143644032,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A4 (210x297mm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":59998143676800,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A4 (210x297mm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":59998143709568,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":59998143742336,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":59998143775104,"sku":null,"price":105.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed 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