Plate 19 - Nicolas Robert - Framed art Print

Born in 1614 and passing away in 1685, Nicolas Robert began his illustration career primarily featuring ornate floral designs. As his career progressed, his focus shifted towards a more scientific observation of botanicals, often incorporating elements like roots, seeds, and leaves into his works.

His understanding and interest in botany flourished during his employment with Gaston d’Orléans, Louis XIII's younger brother and Marie de’ Medici's son. Robert was hired to illustrate Gaston's collection of flowers, animals, and birds, housed in Blois. The garden’s director, Scottish botanist Robert Morrison (1620–1683) had a significant impact on Robert’s work, propelling him towards a more scientific approach.

Following Gaston’s demise, Louis XIV invited Robert to continue his botanical illustrations in Paris at the Jardin du Roi and Versailles. Robert's patronage from affluent amateur collectors and court members can be attributed to the growing fascination with botanical science. This was fueled by the arrival of exotic species from expeditions and newly established overseas colonies. This surge in scientific botany provided Robert with a fresh perspective on his subjects, as plants were historically chosen for their symbolic, therapeutic, or decorative qualities.