Printable Vintage Art: Portrait of a Young Woman Sitting Outdoors by Julie Volpelière

Portrait of a young woman sitting outdoors, holding a bouquet of flowers, 1822
by Julie Volpelière (1780–1842)

She cast her fragrance and her radiance over me. I ought never to have run away from her... I ought to have guessed all the affection that lay behind her poor little stratagems. Flowers are so inconsistent! But I was too young to know how to love her...
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Some women feel the need to act like they're never scared, needy or hurt; like they're as hardened as a man. I think that's dishonest. It's ok to feel delicate sometimes. Real beauty is in the fragility of your petals. A rose that never wilts isn't a rose at all.
― Crystal Woods, Write Like No One is Reading

If you like, you can download my digitally enhanced version of the painting above as a high-res, printable 4” x 5” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.

Spring drew on...and a greenness grew over those brown beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps.
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
Photo © FieldandGarden.com. All rights reserved.

Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: Maria Luisa of Parma by Anton Raphael Mengs

A portrait painting of Maria Luisa of Parma in a garden setting, holding a pair of dahlia-like flowers. Her magnificent court gown is richly adorned with decorative plants and flowers. This fine artwork was executed by Anton Raphael Mengs (1728–1779) around 1765. Maria Luisa of Parma (Luisa Maria Teresa Anna; 9 December 1751 – 2 January 1819) was, by marriage to King Charles IV of Spain, Queen of Spain from 1788 to 1808 leading up to the Peninsular War. Maria Luisa was interested in music and art, and known as a protector of artists, most notably Francisco Goya. [Source: Wikipedia]

If you like, you can download my digitally enhanced version of the painting (seen above) as a high-res, printable 8” x 11” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.

Here is a photo of Dahlia ‘Zorro’ growing in my garden from the 2025 season. While I planted nine varieties of these powerhouse tubers today for the 2026 season, none of them included Zorro, unfortunately. I decided I wanted to try ball/pom-pom dahlias this season and due to budget and lack of space, I had to sacrifice getting Zorro. If the pom-pom dahlias end up being underwhelming, I will go back to my razzle-dazzle dinner-plate dahlias next year!
Photo © FieldandGarden.com. All rights reserved.

Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: Tulips by Charles Sheeler

A flower painting of tulips by Charles Sheeler (1883-1965), done c1925-26. An essay from the famed auction house Christie's describes the artwork as follows:

Tulips is part of a small group of graceful still lifes from the 1920s in which Charles Sheeler focuses on the contrast of natural and geometric forms, a theme he explored throughout his career in various mediums and subject matter.

The genre of still life was particularly appealing to Sheeler as he could leave the elements--which were often chosen from his collection of American decorative arts--set up for long periods of time and maintain a consistent light source through the use of photographic flood lights. Carol Troyen and Erica E. Hirshler write of this body of work, "The remarkable series of still lifes Sheeler produced in the mid-1920s were constructed from deceptively simple means. He generally used a traditional formula: fruits or flowers arranged on a tabletop, supplemented by simple articles of furniture, glassware and pottery. He painted the same forms repeatedly...The objects Sheeler painted again and again in the 1920s were consistently plain--the flowers were never exotic species, the glassware and furnishings were distinguished by their proportions rather than by the surface embellishments--and he rendered them in an understated, self-effacing way. (Charles Sheeler: Paintings and Drawings, Boston, Massachusetts, 1987, p. 106)

The present work is considered to be among Sheeler's most successful compositions within his series of still life paintings. Troyen and Hirshler comment, "Red[sic] Tulips is one of Sheeler's most elegant still lifes, with pleasing contrasts between crisp, sensuous outlines and softly painted, opalescent passages. Thinly brushed in delicate color...and with a slightly dry surface, the painting reveals both Sheeler's sensuality and his restraint. But in contrast to the satisfying elegance of Sheeler's technique, his simple arrangement of flowers on a table is vaguely disquieting. Although blossoms are arrayed in harmonious symmetry across the picture's surface, they nonetheless wind and sway on their elongated stems, bobbing out toward the viewer and twisting back into the shallow space in a kind of contrapuntal rhythm. The apparently perfect, restful compositional balance Sheeler achieved between the vase, the tabletop, and the goblet is undermined by the fact that the tabletop is pushed noticeably off-center and is tilted up, pressing the glassware forward." (Charles Sheeler: Paintings and Drawings, p. 106)
Tulips manifests Sheeler's interest in the challenge of creating compelling works with everyday objects. The result is an innovative and modern rendition of a traditional genre, and a tour-de-force within Sheeler's body of still life paintings.

If you like, you can download my digitally enhanced version (seen above) as a high-res, printable 4” x 6” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.

First tulips of the 2026 season in my zone 6b garden. This clump happens to be a first-year, mail-order tulip bulb mix from a Prince Edward Island grower called Veseys that included single, double and fringed varieties. A few of the initial blooms have unfortunately been eaten by bunnies! We will see how the rest of the patch fares in the coming days.
Photo © FieldandGarden.com. All rights reserved.

Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Botanical Illustration: Hyacinth (1) by Basilius Besler

We are all mistaken sometimes; sometimes we do wrong things, things that have bad consequences. But it does not mean we are evil, or that we cannot be trusted ever afterward.
― Alison Croggon

For there are two kinds of forgiveness in the world: the one you practice because everything really is all right, and what went before is mended. The other kind of forgiveness you practice because someone needs desperately to be forgiven, or because you need just as badly to forgive them, for a heart can grab hold of old wounds and go sour as milk over them.
― Catherynne M. Valente, The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There

Beautifully rendered botanical illustration of hyacinths by Basilius Besler (1561–1629). Originally found here: Wikimedia. Digitally modified version (by Field & Garden) can be downloaded as a high-res, printable 8” x 10” @ 300 ppi JPEG without a watermark here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: A Trio of Rabbit Paintings

“Hare in a Wooded Landscape,” 19th century by Carl Franz Gruber (1803–1845)

“A Hare in the Forest,” 16th century by Hans Hoffmann (1530–1591)

“White Rabbit, Standing,” 1910 by Jan Mankes (1889–1920)

She died--this was the way she died;
And when her breath was done,
Took up her simple wardrobe
And started for the sun.
Her little figure at the gate
The angels must have spied,
Since I could never find her
Upon the mortal side.
― Emily Dickinson, Selected Poems
The idea of rabbits as a symbol of vitality, rebirth and resurrection derives from antiquity. This explains their role in connection with Easter, the resurrection of Christ. The unusual presentation in Christian iconography of a Madonna with the Christ Child playing with a white rabbit in Titian's Madonna of the Rabbit can thus be interpreted Christologically. Together with the basket of bread and wine, a symbol of the sacrificial death of Christ, the picture may be interpreted as the resurrection of Christ after death. [Source: Wikimedia]

My digitally enhanced versions of the above paintings can be downloaded as high-res JPEGs without a watermark here (top), here (middle) and here (bottom).


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: A Thistle by John Crome

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan “Press On!” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
― Calvin Coolidge

A botanical painting by John Crome (1768–1821). This one is simply titled “A Thistle” and was painted circa 1812. Oiginally found on Wikimedia here. You can download my digitally enhanced version here.

Did you know that there are more than 60 native and introduced species of thistles in Canada alone? While many of these varieties are considered noxious weeds due to their persistent and invasive properties, they are a fantastic source of food for pollinators. In my garden, I have a modestly-sized, but controlled, clump of Echinops (globe thistle) that I grow as companion plants to my Echinacea (coneflowers). Both have the same watering requirements, being very drought tolerant, and both attract pollinators by the hundreds, if not thousands, every season! The spent flowers also attract plenty of birds, particularly finches, to devour the seedheads that develop, which adds to the lively atmosphere in the back yard. Keep these spiky plants at the back of the border but within easy reach so you can dig out a handful or two should they become too unruly.

Globe thistles emerging in late spring to provide sculptural contrast in the garden
Photo © FieldandGarden.com. All rights reserved.

Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: The Cat and the Flowers by Édouard Manet

Every day, at least for a few minutes, go and be with the plants. Look at them and smile, touch them with love, and talk to them for a while. These little engagements will recuperate your heart and nurture your soul.
― Bhuwan Thapaliya

We are all mistaken sometimes; sometimes we do wrong things, things that have bad consequences. But it does not mean we are evil, or that we cannot be trusted ever afterward.
― Alison Croggon

Vintage drawing titled “The Cat and the Flowers,” 1861 by Édouard Manet (1832-1883); oiginally found on Wikimedia here. This picture resonated with me because our toitoiseshell cat is also a master gardener who simply loves deadheading flowers and plants. She is so zealous in her duties that sometimes she doesn't even wait for the plants to look spent before she slices them off with her razor-sharp claws! Do you have a cat who loves gardening? Feel free to share your experience in the comments below.

My digitally enhanced version of Manet’s vintage drawing can be downloaded as a high-res 11” x 14” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: Still Life with Flowers in a Glass by Jan Brueghel the Elder

Still Life with Flowers in a Glass, 17th century
by Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568–1625)

What we do see depends mainly on what we look for. ... In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.
― John Lubbock, The Beauties of Nature and the Wonders of the World We Live in

It is easier to tell a person what life is not, rather than to tell them what it is. A child understands weeds that grow from lack of attention, in a garden. However, it is hard to explain the wild flowers that one gardener calls weeds, and another considers beautiful ground cover.
― Shannon L. Alder

A somewhat dark and somber flower painting, which was par for the course in art from the 17th century (sometime between 1600 and 1625). Oiginally found on Wikimedia here. I thought this picture rather echoed my general mood when winter starts to descend in earnest. I can feel the malaise beginning to creep in around the edges and it can be helpful to stave off depression with a small posy of flowers (or at least, a picture of one if you can't get your hands on the real thing). You can download a digitally enhanced version of the vintage artwork (seen above) as a 7” x 9” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.

Three Callas, Winter Edition © FieldandGarden.com. All rights reserved.
Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: A Bed of Poppies by Maria Oakey Dewing

To hear never-heard sounds,
To see never-seen colors and shapes,
To try to understand the imperceptible
Power pervading the world;
To fly and find pure ethereal substances
That are not of matter
But of that invisible soul pervading reality.
To hear another soul and to whisper to another soul;
To be a lantern in the darkness
Or an umbrella in a stormy day;
To feel much more than know.
To be the eyes of an eagle, slope of a mountain;
To be a wave understanding the influence of the moon;
To be a tree and read the memory of the leaves;
To be an insignificant pedestrian on the streets
Of crazy cities watching, watching, and watching.
To be a smile on the face of a woman
And shine in her memory
As a moment saved without planning.
― Dejan Stojanovic
Masterful landscape artwork by Maria Oakey Dewing (1845–1927) titled “A Bed of Poppies,” which was painted in 1909. Oiginally found on Wikimedia here. Digitally enhanced version of the vintage artwork can be downloaded as a 15” x 12.5” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: Glass with Alpine Flowers by Rudolf von Alt

And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next to ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes, on good days, for falling in love.
― Nicholas Sparks

If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable.
― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

Another wonderful watercolour painting by Rudolf von Alt (1812-1905).* This one is titled “Glass with Alpine Flowers” which was painted circa 1860. Oiginally found on Wikimedia here. Digitally enhanced version of the vintage artwork can be downloaded as a 12” x 12” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.

* You can find an earlier post I made on Rudolf von Alt here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: Interior Still Life with a Girl, Flowers and Vegetables by Rudolf von Alt

Woman of Virtue

She could be as still as a statue
But unapologetically vibrant
Even in her silence
She exudes confidence
Yet so humble

She runs her race with courage
Because she has a clear picture
Of where she is going
She knows who she is
And what she wants

She understands what her worth signifies
Extremely dignified
Many odds she defies
She has influence that no one denies
No matter where she goes, she prospers

She makes life so much better
Never doubts her own power
She whose face shines brighter
Such a paragon of splendour
That recognises God’s favour

Committed to excellence
Crowned with brilliance
Clothed by abundance
Cloaked in resilience
Conquers any turbulence

She is someone I look up to
A woman of virtue
― Gift Gugu Mona, From My Mother's Classroom: A Badge of Honour for a Remarkable Woman

Vintage artwork titled “Interior Still Life with a Girl, Flowers and Vegetables,” painted in 1885 by Rudolf von Alt (1812-1905); oiginally found on Wikimedia here. Digitally enhanced version of the vintage artwork can be downloaded as a 12” x 10” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: Autumnal Still Life with a Basket of Blackberries by Hans Zatzka

Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.
― Samuel Butler

Use what you have, use what the world gives you. Use the first day of fall: bright flame before winter's deadness; harvest; orange, gold, amber; cool nights and the smell of fire. Our tree-lined streets are set ablaze, our kitchens filled with the smells of nostalgia: apples bubbling into sauce, roasting squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, cider, warmth itself. The leaves as they spark into wild color just before they die are the world's oldest performance art, and everything we see is celebrating one last violently hued hurrah before the black and white silence of winter.
― Shauna Niequist

Vintage painting titled “Autumnal Still Life with a Basket of Blackberries” by Hans Zatzka (1859-1945); oiginally found on Wikimedia here. Don't you simply love that little butterfly fluttering just above the mushrooms? What are you harvesting or collecting from your autumn garden this year?

Digitally enhanced version of the vintage artwork can be downloaded as a 11” x 8” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: Garden with Flowers by Eliseo Meifrén y Roig

I was surrounded by friends, my work was immense, and pleasures were abundant. Life, now, was unfolding before me, constantly and visibly, like the flowers of summer that drop fanlike petals on eternal soil. Overall, I was happiest to be alone; for it was then I was most aware of what I possessed. Free to look out over the rooftops of the city. Happy to be alone in the company of friends, the company of lovers and strangers. Everything, I decided, in this life, was pure pleasure.
― Roman Payne, Rooftop Soliloquy

What we do see depends mainly on what we look for. ... In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.
― John Lubbock, The Beauties of Nature and the Wonders of the World We Live In

Vintage painting of a lush garden filled with an abundantly fruiting peach tree and beautiful flowers by Eliseo Meifrén y Roig (1857–1940); oiginally found on Wikimedia here. Digitally enhanced version can be downloaded as a 12” x 10” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Botanical Illustrations: Victorian Nosegays by Henriëtte Geertruida Knip

Two botanical illustrations of Victorian nosegays by Henriëtte Geertruida Knip (1783–1842); oiginally found on Wikimedia here and here.

A nosegay, posy, or tussie-mussie is a small flower bouquet. They have existed in some form since at least medieval times, when they were carried or worn around the head or bodice. Doilies are traditionally used to bind the stems in these arrangements. Alternatively, “posy holders”, available in a variety of shapes and materials (although often silver), enable the wearing of these arrangements at the waist, in the hair, or secured with a brooch.

The term nosegay arose in fifteenth century Middle English as a combination of nose and gay (the latter then meaning “ornament”). A nosegay is, thus, an ornament that appeals to the nose or nostril.

The term tussie-mussie (also tussy-mussy) comes from the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901), when the small bouquets became a popular fashion accessory. Typically, tussie-mussies include floral symbolism from the language of flowers and therefore may be used to send a message to the recipient. In modern times, the term specifically refers to small bouquets in a conical metal holder, or the holder itself, particularly when used at a white wedding. [Source: Wikimedia]

Digitally enhanced versions (by Field & Garden) of the botanical illustrations (seen above) can be downloaded as 12” x 18” @ 300 ppi JPEGs here and here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: Dahlias by Carl Moll

I found an inner strength to fight for myself. It was clear that nobody else would.
― Tehmina Durrani, My Feudal Lord

“Run towards the roar,” the old people used to tell the young ones. When faced with great danger and when people panic and seek a false sense of safety, run towards the roaring and go where you fear to go. For only in facing your fears can you find some safety and a way through. When the world rattles and the end seems near, go towards the roar.
― Michael Meade, Why the World Doesn't End: Tales of Renewal in Times of Loss

Don’t dwell too much on the past. The lessons are useful for the present and a preparation for the future. Move on!
― Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great Mind

Vintage painting of dahlias in a garden by Carl Moll (1861–1945); oiginally found on Wikimedia here. Digitally enhanced version can be downloaded as 7” x 7” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Printable Vintage Art: Dahlias in Vases by Maurits van der Valk

Blue Glass Vase with Lilac Dahlia

Glass Vase with Red Dahlia

You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
― Marcus Aurelius

It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.
― Vincent Van Gogh

Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.
― Mahatma Gandhi

Vintage paintings of dahlias in glass vases by Maurits van der Valk (1867–1935); oiginally found on Wikimedia here and here. Digitally enhanced versions can be downloaded as 8” x 18” @ 300 ppi JPEGs here and here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Free Vintage Outdoor Illustration for Collage, Graphic Design, Papercrafts or Scrapbooking: Spring Flowers, 1881

Then came the healing time, hearts started to shine, soul felt so fine,
oh what a freeing time it was.
― Aberjhani

From all that I saw,
and everywhere I wandered,
I learned that time cannot be spent,
It only can be squandered.
― Roman Payne

Vintage illustration of a girl gathering wildflowers in the woods. From an 1881 engraving of the painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905). 7.25” x 15” @ 300 ppi JPEG without a watermark here.


From my personal collection of ephemera. These images are to be incorporated into your creative works. Not for resale “as-is.” Credit to FieldandGarden.com appreciated but not required.

Printable Vintage Art: Hollyhocks and Cats by an Unknown Artist

Hollyhocks and Cats, between 1368 and 1644
by an unknown artist

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
― Roald Dahl

Believe something and the Universe is on its way to being changed. Because you've changed, by believing. Once you've changed, other things start to follow. Isn't that the way it works?
― Diane Duane

Vintage painting oiginally found on Wikimedia here. Digitally altered version can be downloaded as an 8.5” x 11” @ 300 ppi JPEG here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Vintage Art Appreciation: Purple crocuses, cloth of gold crocus, liverwort, poppy anemones and jay, c1650

I give you this to take with you:
Nothing remains as it was.
If you know this, you can begin again,
with pure joy in the uprooting.
― Judith Minty, Letters to My Daughters
About the painting: A page of watercolours depicting seven plants and a dead Jay. The plants are two Purple crocuses (Crocus vernus Hill), a crocus from Susa (Crocus susianus Ker-Gawler), double-form liverwort (Hepatica nobilis Miller 'Caerulea Plena'), and two poppy anemones (Anemone coronaria L.). The Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) appears to cast a shadow on the sheet, as though a real bird has fallen onto a page of painted flowers.

About the artist: Alexander Marshal (c. 1620-1682) was a talented horticulturalist, entomologist and amateur artist. He was one of a network of gardeners working in and around London in the middle of the seventeenth century, and had links with the Tradescants (who had a garden at Lambeth) and Henry Compton (who, as Bishop of London, developed a fine garden at Fulham Palace). Marshal’s careful study of plants was combined with an examination of the science of painting and he wrote in 1667 to the Secretary of the Royal Society to discuss the methods he used for making pigments. The colours in Marshal’s paintings do indeed remain impressively bright over 350 years later.

Source: Original painting and full article as it appears on the Royal Collection Trust (UK) website here.

To download my digitally enhanced version of the above painting as a 5" x 7" @ 300 ppi JPEG, please click here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Vintage Art Appreciation: Still Life with Orchids

Still Life with Orchids, 1888
by Gustave Den Duyts (1850–1897)

“That proves you are unusual,” returned the Scarecrow;
“and I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration
in this world are the unusual ones.
For the common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Land of Oz
Vintage painting oiginally found on Wikimedia here. Digitally altered version can be found as a 5" x 8" @ 300 ppi JPEG here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.