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: 30 x 20 cm 
 
This richly coloured watercolour sheet features a detailed study of several Agaricus species, including Agaricus integer, Agaricus ferrugineus, and Agaricus piralis (note: some spellings reflect older or now-obsolete nomenclature). Each mushroom is rendered with remarkable attention to colour and structure, accompanied by finely drawn cap cross-sections — a key aid in early fungal identification.
The sheet likely originates from a 19th-century naturalist’s collection or teaching folio, as indicated by the use of Latin classification and the careful gill and section studies surrounding each specimen. The presence of both vivid red and deeply textured brown caps offers a visually striking contrast, underscoring the variety within the genus.
As with its counterparts, this illustration balances scientific intent with a painterly delicacy, evoking the era’s growing fascination with cataloguing the natural world through direct observation and hand-rendered documentation.