2-724-761 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Brier Bush Rose or Dog Rose (Rosa Sepium Rosea), 1817-1824. Les Roses was commissioned by the empress Josephine who, after marrying Napoleon Bonaparte in 1795, rebuilt the royal country estate Malmaison and its opulent gardens. An immense hothouse was constructed to shelter her magnificent collection of rare and exotic plants, which included 250 varieties of roses.