Catharina "Catherine" Klein (1861–1929) was a world-renowned German painter celebrated as the most significant flower painter of the Victorian and Wilhelminian eras. Born in East Prussia and trained at the Vocational School in Berlin, she became a master of Naturalistic Still Life, specifically within the Late 19th-Century Realism period. Klein’s work achieved global fame through the rise of chromolithography; her meticulously detailed paintings were featured on over 2,000 postcards and in botanical publications for prestigious publishers like Raphael Tuck & Sons. Her technical prowess earned her the patronage of the German Emperor Wilhelm II, who purchased several of her works for the royal palaces.
Known for her "C. Klein" signature, her style is defined by luminous color and a staggering level of botanical accuracy, often painted from real-life specimens to document heirloom varieties of roses, birds, and fruit. Translating a C. Klein piece into a counted cross-stitch design is a dream for floral enthusiasts. Her soft gouache and watercolor backgrounds, combined with the sharp, vibrant details of the petals, provide a sophisticated palette that captures the essence of a sun-drenched garden. Stitching a Klein design allows you to preserve a piece of botanical history, turning her timeless "postcard" art into a stunning textile masterpiece for your home.