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The Man Who Painted Roses: The Story of Pierre Joseph Redoute
Ridge, Antonia
487 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 19, 2007
I bought this book for a dollar from the public library. It remains one of the best books I've ever read.
April 18, 2018
My 13 yo loves this one, which we used for home education 😊
December 8, 2019
I finished this wonderful book today about the finest floral painter of all time, Pierre-Joseph Redouté. I found sanctuary during the intimate meeting with those Frenchmen, Englishmen, Dutchmen and a Belgian in this true story. These men and women possessed an insatiable adoration and desire to know Nature and be part of the wonder She bursts forth. I briskly grew unfetteringly akin to the characters because they were a reflection of my own innate connection to Mother Nature’s flora and fauna too. What a blitheful surprise it was to unravel such depth in Redouté and depth also within his dear friends. Sheer refreshment for the soul indeed. Pierre-Joseph Redouté will remain in my heart always after reading his story.
*Be aware there is a bumper crop of French history included in Antonia Ridge’s tale. I found these historical inclusions overwhelming enough to skim over somewhat at times.
Favorite moments/passages from this tribute book:
“Monsieur Thory and Pierre-Joseph, searching, talking only of roses. The age-old enchantment of roses had them both in its spell.”
“My roses . . . are very dear to me now.”
“And Pierre-Joseph hurried away carrying that golden rose in one of Madame Prevost’s elegant little paper bags as if its petals were indeed of pure gold. Monsieur Thory was also enchanted with that beautiful yellow rose but he insisted it was sulphur-yellow, definitely sulphur-yellow. ‘Gold’ was too vague; it covered a whole gamut of shades from palest gold to a deep rich gold. No, no, this rose was the color of sulphur.”
“So imagine Pierre-Joseph’s pleasure one evening when Madame Prevost showed him her ‘flower of the day’ — an enchanting branch of a rose-bush. It bore a cluster of three roses and a charming bud, but it would be well-nigh impossible to find the precise words to describe its subtle, unusual colour, a soft pink that became almost violet when the petals caught the light.”
“It was wonderful to listen to him. He seemed to have found the secret of eternal youth in his love of flowers.”
“It was in ‘Les Roses’ that he must pay his tribute to the man to whom he owed so much. This outstandingly lovely rose must bear the name: ‘Rose L’Héritier’.”
*Be aware there is a bumper crop of French history included in Antonia Ridge’s tale. I found these historical inclusions overwhelming enough to skim over somewhat at times.
Favorite moments/passages from this tribute book:
“Monsieur Thory and Pierre-Joseph, searching, talking only of roses. The age-old enchantment of roses had them both in its spell.”
“My roses . . . are very dear to me now.”
“And Pierre-Joseph hurried away carrying that golden rose in one of Madame Prevost’s elegant little paper bags as if its petals were indeed of pure gold. Monsieur Thory was also enchanted with that beautiful yellow rose but he insisted it was sulphur-yellow, definitely sulphur-yellow. ‘Gold’ was too vague; it covered a whole gamut of shades from palest gold to a deep rich gold. No, no, this rose was the color of sulphur.”
“So imagine Pierre-Joseph’s pleasure one evening when Madame Prevost showed him her ‘flower of the day’ — an enchanting branch of a rose-bush. It bore a cluster of three roses and a charming bud, but it would be well-nigh impossible to find the precise words to describe its subtle, unusual colour, a soft pink that became almost violet when the petals caught the light.”
“It was wonderful to listen to him. He seemed to have found the secret of eternal youth in his love of flowers.”
“It was in ‘Les Roses’ that he must pay his tribute to the man to whom he owed so much. This outstandingly lovely rose must bear the name: ‘Rose L’Héritier’.”
May 15, 2010
Loved this book. Reads like a novel. Quaint. A relief in our rather bold culture. Old fashioned I loved this book.
October 24, 2012
I'm loving it. Antonia Ridge writes very like Elizabeth Goudge who is another of my favourites. There is a bit too much history for my taste, but I love it otherwise.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews