But, aside from ordering through a high-priced decorator with a 100 percent
markup, where can you buy botanical art prints for your own home?

One source is your local frameshop.  You may not see exactly what you want on
display, so ask to look through the catalogs.  Often a shop will order prints
and not charge you until you see them and decide to buy.

Another source of botanical prints is eBay. Search under the Arts & Antiques
section for prints or floral art, or by the artist’s name.  Many eBay stores carry
botanicals by the most well-known artists, such as Redoute and de Longpre.
Generally, the prints you find on eBay will be framed, and they are usually
available to buy instantly, without going through an auction.

Framed botanical art prints are also sold at discount, department and home
specialty stores. Most often, these are matted in pink, hunter green or maroon, and
framed in gold. You may get lucky and find the perfect print for your wall, with a
mat and frame coordinated with your decor, at a very reasonable price.

However, to get the exact print you want, in the perfect mat and frame, and at the
best price, try an online source, such as BestArt.com.

By searching through online catalogs, you get the largest possible selection to
choose from.  Then, using the miracle of technology, you can “try out” your print
with different mat and frame combinations.  Some art websites have a page that
allows you to display the print, mat and frame on a background color that matches
your walls.

Because internet art sites skip the middleman, they can offer botanical art prints
at the lowest possible price.  Your order can be shipped quickly and within a week,
you can enjoy the beauty and tradition of botanical art prints gracing the walls
of your home.

Paul de Longpre, Athaneum

De Longpré was born in France in 1855, into an artistic family, which was known
for painting flower patterns for the textile mills of Lyons. His first oil
painting was accepted for exhibition at the Paris Salon when he was only 21 years
old.

Although he became widely popular for his botanical paintings, de Longpré left
France in 1890 after losing money in a bank failure.  He moved with his wife and
daughters to the United States, settling in New York City.

Once in the U.S., de Longpré continued to meet with success.  He exhibited his
first painting, Basket of Purple Lilacs, at the National Academy of Design in
1892. The de Longpré family later moved to Hollywood, where the artist could find
fresh flowers blooming year round.

In Hollywood, de Longpre built a large Moorish-style house with a 3-acre garden,
which held more than 3,000 rose bushes alone.  Not only was the garden a
source for de Longpre’s artistic inspiration, it became a well-known tourist
attraction. Although the house was eventually torn down, a street nearby retains
the name, “De Longpre Avenue.”

The artist continued to win awards and acclaim, especially for his beautifully
sensitive paintings of roses.  De Longpré died on June 29, 1911.

Botanical Print by Paul de Longpre-Roses and Bumblebees, 1899

Giclée is an advanced printmaking process that uses ink jet printing technology,
along with fade-resistant “archival” inks, to create high-quality fine art reproductions. The
inks used are specially formulated to last as long as 75 years.  It is the ink jet nozzle, or
sprayer, which gives us the term Giclée.

To make a Giclée print, first the artist creates an original work of art using conventional
means such as painting, drawing or photography.  Then a printer reproduces
the artwork digitally using the Giclée process. The result is nearly an exact replica of
the original piece, achieving exceptional intensity of color and intricate detail.

Giclée prints are valued by galleries, museums, and private collectors. The artwork can
be printed on either fine quality art paper or on a stretched canvas, which is mounted
on a lightweight wooden frame.

Once you have selected your Giclée nature art print, choose a mat and frame that
coordinate with your room’s decor.  The result will be a valuable and beautiful piece
of artwork that will enhance your bedroom, study, front hall, living room or home
office for years to come.

Nature Art Print using the Giclee Printing Process