Artists within the Chelsea Physic Garden's Florilegium Society devote three full days to the meticulous process of painting a single leaf.
The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society: Preserving the Art of Botanical Illustration
The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society (CPGFS) is a prestigious association of top botanical illustrators, based in London, dedicated to promoting and preserving the tradition of botanical illustration. Established in 1995 by Margaret King, the society is an integral part of the renowned Chelsea Physic Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the city, which has been in operation since 1673.
The CPGFS is committed to fostering high-quality botanical art and illustration. Each year, the society consults with the head gardener to select a plant for recording. This selected plant is then painted by society members at different stages of its annual cycle, resulting in detailed and accurate artistic representations that highlight the botanical heritage and scientific importance of plants.
One of the society's distinguished members, Mary Ellen Taylor, has produced artworks showcasing endangered birds of the Galapagos Islands and Romanian wildflowers. Her magnolia tree painting, for instance, took several years to complete. Another member, Gillian Barlow, not only contributes to the society but also paints heraldry at London's College of Arms.
The society's artworks are not just aesthetically pleasing; they are also precise and informative. A good botanical illustration is produced exactly to scale, with accurate colours, and records all stages and parts of the plant. The finished paintings are donated to the Chelsea Physic Garden for its archive and used for fundraising purposes.
The CPGFS has a long-standing membership, with some members having been involved since its inception, and the numbers are currently on the rise. The society's significance in botanical art lies in its role as a platform that preserves and fosters the tradition of botanical illustration, which is both a scientific and artistic discipline.
Before the invention of photography, botanical illustration was the primary means of identifying plants. During the Age of Exploration, botanical illustration was highly valued as it allowed for accurate recording of exotic plant specimens. Some society members have even contributed artwork to The Highgrove Florilegium, which records the plants at the monarch's Gloucestershire residence.
Transporting the cuttings home can involve creative solutions, such as using plastic bottles or supermarket freezer bags. Artists are allowed to take home cuttings of the plant for their own gardens, adding a personal touch to their work.
In addition to her career in the fashion industry and serving as Margaret Thatcher's stylist, Margaret King's establishment of the CPGFS has made a significant impact on the world of botanical art. The society continues to support and promote excellence in botanical art and illustration, enhancing the appreciation of plants through art, and maintaining the legacy of botanical documentation associated with the Chelsea Physic Garden.
An annual membership to the Chelsea Physic Garden grants access an hour before public opening, providing members with the unique opportunity to observe and study the plants up close. With around 5,000 specimen plants, the garden offers a wealth of inspiration for the society's artists.
In summary, the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society is a prestigious group dedicated to promoting botanical illustration, enhancing the appreciation of plants through art, and maintaining the legacy of botanical documentation associated with one of the oldest botanical gardens in London. This makes it significant both scientifically and artistically in the world of botanical art.
The members of the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society contribute their artistic efforts not only to the horticultural archives of the garden but also to their personal home-and-garden collections, as they are allowed to take cuttings of the plants they illustrate. The detailed and accurate botanical illustrations produced by the society serve as a blend of lifestyle and scientific documentation, highlighting the beauty and significance of various plant species.
