Ramón Sopena Publishing — Plants grown in nutrient solution — original ink and color editorial illustration on paper, c. 1960

A fully-grown plant and one with very stunted growth are shown cultivated in transparent containers that allow their roots to be observed. The comparison immediately illustrates the effect of a complete nutrient solution versus one lacking potassium, turning a plant physiology concept into a simple and pedagogical image.

The piece comes from the graphic archive of Editorial Ramón Sopena and retains abundant traces of its editorial use. It is worked on both sides, with the illustrated original and handwritten annotations on one side, and identification material, typewritten text, and an archive stamp on the other.

The work

The illustration was done by hand, combining black ink and color on paper. The drawing precisely outlines stems, leaves, and roots, while greens, browns, oranges, and a slight blue make it easy to distinguish the different parts of the experiment.

On the left, the plant cultivated with a complete nutrient solution is represented: it shows abundant growth, numerous stems and leaves, and a developed root system. On the right, the plant cultivated without potassium appears notably stunted.

A simple red linear diagram visually links both containers and reinforces the comparative nature of the image.

At the bottom, an original handwritten annotation in red is preserved:

“Two beech plants cultivated in nutrient solution. Left: cultivated in complete nutrient solution. Right: cultivated in solution without potassium.”

The identification of the species is maintained as it appears in the piece's own editorial documentation.

An editorial work piece

The reverse side is especially interesting because it preserves part of the process prior to publication.

A typewritten text is adhered to it, which expands on the same explanation:

“Beech plants cultivated in nutrient solution; on the left, in complete nutrient solution; on the right, in solution without potassium.”

Also preserved is the handwritten annotation “CIENCIAS FÍSICAS Y NATURALES”, several registration marks, and the circular stamp:

EDITORIAL RAMÓN SOPENA, S.A. – BARCELONA – ARCHIVO

On the front, there is also the handwritten reference “CIENCIAS, 171”, probably related to the section, work, or page for which the illustration was intended.

All these elements allow it to be identified not as a mere decorative illustration, but as a production original used within the Ramón Sopena editorial archive.

Science and illustration in educational publishing

For a good part of the 20th century, major scholastic and encyclopedic works depended on illustrators capable of translating scientific processes into immediately understandable images.

Before the generalization of color photography and digital illustration, drawings like this one fulfilled a fundamental function. The artist had to synthesize the experiment, maintain scientific clarity, and produce an image suitable for reduction and reproduction using printing procedures.

This sheet retains precisely that combination of scientific drawing, manual illustration, and editorial workshop documentation.

Technical data

Publisher: Editorial Ramón Sopena, S.A., Barcelona
Title: Plants cultivated in complete nutrient solution and without potassium
Chronology: c. 1960s
Technique: Ink and color on paper
Type of work: Original scientific and editorial illustration, worked on both sides
Dimensions: Consult
Inscriptions: “Ciencias, 171” and handwritten explanatory text in red
Reverse: Typewritten text, “Ciencias Físicas y Naturales” annotation, reproduction marks, and Editorial Ramón Sopena Archive stamp
Author of the drawing: Unidentified
Provenance: Graphic archive of Editorial Ramón Sopena
Condition: Good general condition, with marks, mounting remnants, and traces inherent to its use as editorial work material.

Workshop Note

In this piece, the reverse is almost as interesting as the illustration itself.

The drawing shows the final result intended for the reader; the other side preserves part of the process that was normally hidden: the typewritten text, the section identification, the archive stamp, and the indications used by the publisher.

It is precisely this dual condition —scientific image on one hand and production document on the other— that gives it special interest within the collection from Ramón Sopena.

The marks, annotations, and remnants of work have not been removed because they are part of the piece's material history.