What an awesome find! A sketchbook from around 1870 full of wonderful little sketches and watercolors like this tulip watercolor. The artist is sadly unknown, but, their work lives on via the magic that is the Internet.
I’ve included the original piece with two tulips and a narcissus as well as the multicolored and speckled tulip alone. To me the tulip is definitely the focal point of the larger piece and well worthy of being featured alone.
The main tulip is done with shades of dark maroon, pink and yellow. The second tulip is done in much lighter shades of the same colors – it’s almost like a reflection. In between the two is a sweet yellow and green narcissus with a bit of orange highlights.
While I think the original is stunning, I think by removing the background and the other two flowers – plus enhancing the colors a bit, this tulip watercolor really becomes a star!
You can view and download these lovely, free vintage watercolor flowers by clicking on the paintings shown above.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.
