Rosemary — Antique Botanical Print

The Story in the Margin

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) is a resinous evergreen shrub native to the rocky, sea-sprayed coastlines of the Mediterranean, its name derived from the Latin ros marinus, or 'dew of the sea.' Cultivated for at least five thousand years, it was burned as incense by the ancient Greeks and Romans for purification and was placed by early Egyptians in tombs as a ritual aid for the soul's journey. By the Middle Ages it had become firmly established across Europe as the herb of remembrance, carried by mourners at funerals and woven into wedding garlands as a pledge of fidelity, a symbolism that persists in war commemorations today. Its needle-like, silvery-green foliage and pale blue flowers made it one of the most enduringly popular subjects in the herbal illustration tradition.

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.