Worth a Thousand Words

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This spectacular display brings together a selection of the finest botanical artworks recently acquired by the RHS Lindley Collections. It explores the ways in which contemporary artists continue to raise standards and push the boundaries of botanical illustration.

Botanical artworks have a scientific purpose but they are also revered for their aesthetic value. In recent times, there has been a resurgence of interest in the discipline with talented artists emerging across the world. The very best examples of botanical art today combine close observation with artistic flair to create informative, scientifically accurate as well as beautiful pictures. Such works are also seen as significant showcases for the genus and species of plant that they portray.

The RHS Lindley Library’s Art Collection contains more than 30,000 drawings, dating back almost 400 years. The library continues to add to this collection and acquires contemporary Gold medal standard botanical art by artists who have exhibited at RHS Shows. Artists must go through a rigorous selection process before being eligible to exhibit. Their works are judged by a panel of experts and all aspects of the display considered. This ranges from the technical skill of the artist to the botanical and horticultural content of the picture as well and the nature and scale of the project as a whole. This exhibition features original artworks in watercolour, gouache, pen and pencil, by artists who have excelled in all areas to achieve the RHS Gold medal standard.

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Image: (partial view) Passiflora 'Jelly Joker', watercolour by Caroline Jackson-Houlston, 2018.