A botanical plate from Les Roses (1817–1824), the definitive early nineteenth-century monograph on cultivated and wild roses, illustrated by Pierre-Joseph Redouté.
Scientific Name: Rosa Damascena
Identification: Damask Rose
Family: Rosaceae
Properties: Revered for its richly layered blooms and enduring fragrance, Rosa damascena has long been celebrated as one of the most significant roses in both cultivation and perfumery. In early botanical and medicinal traditions, it was associated with love, refinement, and spiritual devotion, valued as much for its aromatic oils as for its beauty. Its softly blushed petals and harmonious form embodied an ideal balance of sensuality and restraint, reflecting a historical admiration for roses that united ornamental splendor with cultural and symbolic depth.