Wood engraver Gerard Brender à Brandis has long been an avid gardener and botanist; his encyclopaedic knowledge of the plant world animates the exquisite microcosm of A Wood Engraver's Alphabet. This collection is intended both for the student of the complexities of nature's creations and the patron of the intricate art of wood engraving. The images are presented in the form of an alphabet book but the simple, and sometimes elementary, appreciation of the alphabet format will not suffice here. The abundance of the botanical world, and the multitude of choice available to represent each letter, allows the mind of artist and reader alike to roam free. A short introduction by the artist illuminates the choices he has made and includes historical tidbits about the lexicon of flowers.
