In collaboration with the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland
The value of botanical illustration lies not only in the beauty of the work but also in the scientific value. It is the task of the botanical artist to depict an accurate representation of the chosen plant with close attention to detail. Over the years, the collection of botanical illustrations housed at Glasnevin has been an important source for reference and identification purposes.
This exhibition highlights a selection of roughly 20 works from the art collection of the National Botanic Gardens which dates from the early 19th century to the present day. A rich and varied collection, in total it contains over 3,500 original botanical illustrations. The work consists largely of watercolour paintings on paper but also includes works rendered in pen and ink, pencil and gouache. In recent years the collection has expanded to include works by contemporary artists working in a wide range of media including print, oil painting, watercolour and ceramics.
Selected works from the collection have been shown at several exhibitions including Roscrea in 1989, Dublin Castle 1995, the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art in 1997, the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin in 1997 and 1998, the Model Arts and Niland Gallery, Sligo in 2000. A major exhibition of 100 paintings was held at the National Botanic Gardens in 2002.
Image caption: Lydia Shackleton, Helleborus Niger Subsp. Maicranhius, watercolour on paper, 1887
Photograph G. Pasley, National Botanic Gardens
Lydia Shackleton (1828-1914) became the first artist in residence in the National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin, in 1884.