Framed Watercolour, 19th Century Fungi Study, Artist Unknown

Title: Fungi Study Sheet – Agaricus Species
Artist: Unknown
Date: 19th century
Medium: Watercolour and ink on laid paper
Origin: Likely Central or Northern Europe
Dimensions: Approx. 25 × 20 cm (including frame)
 
This 19th-century botanical study features three distinct species of fungi, rendered in fine watercolour with Latin annotations. The sheet includes depictions of Agaricus violaceus, Agaricus amethystinus, and an unidentified brown funnel-shaped species, likely a Craterellus or similar. Richly pigmented and sensitively observed, the specimens are shown in various stages — whole, sliced, and in gill profile — typical of scientific illustration of the period.
The script is consistent with Central European conventions of the 1800s, suggesting the work originated within the context of amateur naturalism or academic fieldwork. These illustrations formed the backbone of botanical and mycological study before the advent of colour photography, serving both as identification tools and records of regional biodiversity.
This particular sheet, with its deep violet and russet tones, not only captures the visual character of each specimen but also conveys a quiet reverence for the natural world. Mounted and framed, it remains a compelling fragment of 19th-century scientific curiosity.