Discover Pierre-Antoine Poiteau (1766-1854): French botanist, horticulturist and artist who left his mark on his era.
Explore the life and work of a man whose passion for nature took him from an abbey garden to tropical scientific expeditions. Poiteau left his mark on his era with his exceptionally precise botanical illustrations, his collections of exotic plants, and his commitment to improving horticultural practices and passing on this knowledge.
His observations on plant characteristics, particularly seed structure, helped dispel doubts about botanical classification. His rigorous work and artistic talents earned him recognition from his peers and contributed to the advancement of knowledge in botany and horticulture.
Featured Works
“Histoire naturelle des orangers” by Risso and Poiteau (1818-1820)
Dive into the heart of this masterful work illustrated by Poiteau and written in collaboration with Antoine Risso. Beyond the botanical aspect, the book offers practical advice for growing orange trees and reveals the varied uses of these precious plants. The work is the most comprehensive ever written on orange trees.
“Traite des arbres Fruitiers. Nouvelle édition, augmentée d’un grand nombre d’espèces de fruits obtenus des progrès de la culture“, by Poiteau et Turpin (1807 – 1835)
Explore this major work by Pierre-Antoine Poiteau and Pierre Jean François Turpin. This six-volume treatise contains nearly 400 fruit species described with unparalleled precision and exceptionally illustrated.
The Universe of Pierre-Antoine Poiteau: Exploration, Art and Heritage
Explore his expeditions : Follow in Poiteau’s footsteps through his travels to Santo Domingo and Guyana, and discover the challenges and discoveries that marked his journey.
Discover his art : Explore Pierre-Antoine Poiteau’s gallery of botanical illustrations and let yourself be captivated by the beauty and precision of his work
Learn about his life : Delve into the biography of Pierre-Antoine Poiteau and discover the key moments that shaped his life and work.
Poiteau: Sharing knowledge in the service of botany
“Cours d’Horticulture” (1848-1853)
Pierre-Antoine Poiteau was not only a talented explorer and illustrator, he was also a transmitter of knowledge. With his Horticulture Course, he imparted techniques and principles that shaped the art of gardening
But how do these methods compare to modern practices? Discover a captivating analysis of Poiteau’s teachings and current advances in horticulture, and gauge how these techniques have evolved over the centuries.