Henry Evans

Botanical Prints

Henry Evans (1918–1990) began making botanical prints in 1958, depicting some 1,400 subjects in 31 years. In that time, he was accorded more than 250 one–man shows in many countries around the world and in almost every state in the union. Admired by art lovers and naturalists alike, Henry's work reveals a style intriguingly personal and botanically faithful, unerring in its feeling for rhythm and design. Self–taught as a printer, botanist, and artist, he developed a unique style and technique. He drew directly from living subjects, and all subjects were portrayed life–size. He used linoleum as a printing surface and an 1852 Washington Hand Press to make the prints.

All of the work was done by hand. All of the materials that were used were of the best quality, and all of the editions were limited. Each linoleum–block print was numbered, dated, and signed by the artist. After printing, the blocks were destroyed. Botanical Prints presents a vast array of Evans's work and goes one step further by providing excerpts from the artist's notebook, which illuminate not only the physical processes he used but also the brilliant mind that created both the prints and the prose.