“Les Roses” is a renowned botanical work by Pierre-Joseph Redouté, often hailed as his most celebrated masterpiece. Published between 1817 and 1824, this three-volume series comprises 170 hand-colored plates, each meticulously illustrating various rose species. Volume II continues the exploration of these exquisite flowers, showcasing Redouté’s exceptional skill in combining botanical precision with artistic elegance.

In Volume II, Redouté presents a diverse array of rose varieties, capturing their unique characteristics with remarkable detail. Each illustration is rendered using the stipple-engraving technique, a method perfected by Redouté and his team. This technique involves engraving a copper plate with a dense grid of dots, allowing for delicate gradations of tone and hue. The plates were printed in color and then meticulously finished by hand, often by Redouté himself, resulting in luminous and lifelike representations of each rose.

The creation of “Les Roses” was significantly influenced by Redouté’s patronage under Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoleon. Her passion for roses and her establishment of an extensive rose garden at Malmaison provided Redouté with the inspiration and resources to undertake this monumental project. The roses depicted in Volume II reflect the diversity and beauty of Joséphine’s collection, serving as both scientific documentation and artistic celebration of the species.