Flowers of Kew, 350 Years of Botanical Illustration from the Royal Botanic Gardens / Old Book / Antique Book / Illustrated Guide / Floral Art

Featuring a beautiful foil-stamped spine and a vibrant dust jacket, this book is filled with botanical illustrations. The author shares the stories of resident artists, adventurous painters, inspired amateurs, and official illustrators who helped establish the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as a globally renowned institution. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, boasts a long-standing tradition of floral painting and botanical illustration, forging an exceptional national heritage over three and a half centuries. The 18th century was a period of imaginative flourishing for botanical art, particularly with royal patronage. Princess Augusta and the Earl of Bute laid the foundations for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, while Queen Charlotte herself, an artist, fueled a national passion for botany with her enthusiasm. For Victorians, exotic plants discovered on intrepid expeditions were emblematic of the era: Joseph Hooker found rhododendrons in the Himalayas, and soon these flowers bloomed in gardens across Britain. This speaks to the extraordinary significance of plants in the Victorian age. Title ◸ Flowers of Kew: 350 Years of Botanical Illustration from the Royal Botanic Gardens Publication ◸ 1988 Binding ◸ Hardcover Dimensions ◸ 27.4 x 19.8 cm Pages ◸ 208 Notes ◸ Condition to be specified separately