News
Online exhibition of Stories Plants Tell: Flora Batava 1800-1934
You can now also visit the exhibition on the Flora Batava online. It includes not only the original botanical drawings but also contributions from WUR authors to the reprint edition.
Online exhibition
In June 2023, a special reissue of the Flora Batava was published. Special Collections organized an exhibition with original drawings from the Flora Batava. The physical exhibition at Special Collections runs until 15 October 2023.
You can now also visit the exhibition online. The online exhibition includes not only the original botanical drawings but also contributions from WUR authors to the reprint edition.
About the Flora Batava
The Flora Batava is an illustrated overview of all Dutch plants known in the 19th century. It was published by Sepp en zoon and edited by Jan Kops.
The Flora Batava ran from 1800 to 1934 and became one of the longest running series in the Netherlands. More than 2630 plant species are depicted in 2240 engraved plates. The plants in the series were collected in the field and drawn from life. These drawings formed the basis for both the engravings and their hand-colouring.
The Flora Batava and WUR
WUR has a special relationship with the Flora Batava. Special Collections is the proud owner of about 1,000 of the original drawings. These drawings were created as preliminary studies for the publication. These were acquired in 1948.
The Flora Batava is above all a key work of natural history. It's an important source of information for WUR researchers who investigate the past and the present state of Dutch nature and its biodiversity. It provides a vital historical perspective on biodiversity and its loss, and as such helps to making well-informed decisions in nature management and conservation.
Several WUR scientists, professional and amateur botanists, artists and plant lovers, have contributed to the new edition of the Flora Batava.