Walter Hood Fitch was a botanical illustrator, born in Glasgow, Scotland, who executed some 10,000 drawings for various publications. His work in colour lithograph, including 2700 illustrations for Curtis's Botanical Magazine, produced up to 200 plates per year.
Plate 2, Victoria amazonica, of Victoria Regia, 1851
Eucalyptus macrocarpa
Botanical illustration is the art of depicting the form, color, and details of plant species. They are generally meant to be scientifically descriptive about subjects depicted and are often found printed alongside a botanical description in books, magazines, and other media. Some are sold as artworks. Often composed by a botanical illustrator in consultation with a scientific author, their creation requires an understanding of plant morphology and access to specimens and references.
American Turk's cap Lily, Lilium superbum, Georg Dionysius Ehret (1708-70), About 1750–53, Watercolor and gouache on vellum V&A Museum no. D.589-1886
Banksia coccinea from Ferdinand Bauer's 1813 work Illustrationes Florae Novae Hollandiae
Blackberry. Vienna Dioscurides, early sixth century
Tuft of Cowslips (1526) by Albrecht Dürer, gouache on vellum, collection of the National Gallery of Art