Pierre–Joseph Buchoz: Collection précieuse

Pierre–Joseph Buchoz (1731–1807) was a French physician and naturalist best known for producing luxurious illustrated works that brought plants from around the world to the attention of European audiences. His book 'Collection précieuse et enluminée des fleurs les plus belles et les plus curieuses…' contains 200 plates depicting Chinese plants (Volume 1) as well as those cultivated in European gardens (Volume 2), often alongside animals and insects. The work exemplifies Buchoz’s ambition to provide visually rich reference material for naturalists, gardeners, artists and designers. The Lindley Library’s copies were bequeathed to the RHS by Reginald Cory in 1936.