Atropa Belladonna - Regnault 1774-80

📜 Description
Antique print depicting the plant *Atropa belladonna*, engraved in Paris between 1774 and 1780 after Nicolas François Regnault and engraved by Geneviève De Nangis-Regnault, published by Didot le Jeune as part of *La Botanique*, an original engraving within the scientific-naturalistic tradition. The composition presents a single central botanical specimen developed vertically, showing stem, broad veined leaves, pendulous bell-shaped flowers and dark ripe berries, accompanied by secondary isolated elements (flower section, fruit and root system) arranged around the main figure with analytical purpose; the structure is clearly didactic and classificatory, with a precise distinction between the principal specimen and morphological details. The inscription at the lower margin “La Belladone” with the indication “Belladona. Dollkraut.” identifies the species through a multilingual nomenclature, linking the image to the 18th-century European botanical and pharmacological tradition; this element confirms the scientific function of the plate, intended for the description and recognition of the plant, known for both its toxic and medicinal properties. The work belongs to the context of Enlightenment botanical illustration, where visual accuracy and clarity respond to needs of study and natural classification; the engraving technique, fine and controlled, precisely defines veins, volumes and vegetal structures, while the contemporary hand-coloring enhances the differentiation of parts and the scientific readability of the image.

📚 Historical-artistic note
Nicolas François Regnault was active in the field of 18th-century scientific illustration, collaborating with Parisian publishing circles connected to the dissemination of encyclopedic knowledge. Of particular relevance is the role of Geneviève De Nangis-Regnault, his wife, responsible for engraving the plates: the collaboration between author and engraver within the same family represents a significant aspect of the editorial production of the period. The work was published by Didot le Jeune, one of the leading French publishers of the time, renowned for typographic quality and for the diffusion of scientific works; botanical plates such as this constitute a typical example of period prints intended for both didactic and collecting purposes.

🧾 Technical sheet
Type: original engraving
Author / Maker: Nicolas François Regnault; engraving by Geneviève De Nangis-Regnault
Place: Paris
Period: 1774–1780
Material: paper
Technique: etching
Subject / Title: “La Belladone Belladona Dollkraut”
Edition / Print run: from “La Botanique”
Dimensions: Sheet cm 35.5 × 49.5; plate cm 26 × 38.5
Marks / signatures / inscriptions: lower margin inscription with multilingual botanical denomination of the species

🔍 Condition Report
Example with minor scattered foxing, sheet overall in very good condition; well-preserved paper and impression, contemporary hand-coloring well maintained, full readability of botanical details and engraved line.