Pancrace Bessa was a natural history artist, born in Paris in 1772. He was best known for his botanical illustrations. Bessa was a student of the great artist Gerard van Spaendonck and collaborated with Pierre-Joseph Redouté, whose influence is evident in Bessa's detailed and delicate handling of his designs. The four copper engravings in the "De Witte Zwaan" collection, made by various engravers based on drawings by Bessa, show highly detailed depictions of bulbous plants. These are depicted from flower to bulb, with additional images of, for example, the pistil and seed pod alongside. The engravings are largely colored with watercolor, particularly the plant and flower itself. The additional, loosely drawn parts are sometimes colored; sometimes only the black lines of the engraving are visible.