Florentine Iris — Antique Botanical Print

The Story in the Margin

The Florentine iris (Iris florentina) is a pale, violet-blue flowered iris native to the hills of Tuscany, long cultivated around Florence and, since the 1700s, grown commercially near San Polo in Chianti. Its thick rhizome is the source of orris root, prized in perfumery for a violet fragrance that only develops after the root is dried and aged for two to five years, since the fresh rhizome is nearly scentless. Valued since the Renaissance for scenting powders, linens, and cosmetics, the plant's rhizome remains a fixture of fine perfumery today, even though most other parts of the plant are toxic if eaten.

Materials & origin

• Material: 200 gsm gallery-grade, acid-free fine-art paper (FSC-certified).
• Print: Archival giclée, 12-colour printing, smooth matte finish for glare-free display.
• Artwork: Restored from a public-domain original; colour and detail digitally cleaned for large-format print.
• Origin: Made on demand and shipped from the print hub nearest you, cutting transit and waste.
• Framing: Sold unframed; ships rolled in a protective tube.