Sweet Basil — Antique Botanical Print

The Story in the Margin

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an aromatic annual believed to have originated in tropical Asia, likely India, where it has been cultivated for more than three thousand years and held a revered place in religious and culinary traditions. Its name descends from the Greek basileus, meaning 'king,' earning it the old epithet 'king of herbs' among European herbalists. Carried west along ancient trade routes, basil eventually became inseparable from Mediterranean cooking, above all in Genoa, where it is pounded into pesto alla genovese. Its glossy, fragrant leaves have made it a staple of kitchen-garden herbals for centuries, prized as much for its scent as for its flavour.

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.