One For The Pollinators
The Big Butterfly Count of 2023 is well and truly in full swing and we are all encouraged to grab our notepads and count the number of butterflies that visit our gardens in the space of 15 minutes. Backed by Butterfly Conservation president Sir David Attenborough, the initiative has seen thousands of us recording pollinators to help specialist conservation efforts. All this talk about butterfly’s, flowers and gardens have us inspired, so we have pulled out some of our favourite 19th to Early 20th century botanical studies that we personally think pollinators and humans alike will just love.
The detail in these very sweet primroses are extraordinary. Rich in colour and expertly painted, this lovely botanical study would make a great center piece on any wall.
This particularly fine watercolour is dated 1829 making it a Georgian piece. The little butterfly hanging around the buds is a great reminder to plant out some pollinator friendly flowers this summer.
Small and sweet, these daffodils make us smile with thoughts of spring all year round.
These finely stitched chrysanthemums show a great contrast between the delicate glass vase and bold summer blooms. It’s a firm Sulis Studio favourite!
All round garden favourites, raspberries and strawberries are great ones to keep the butterflies, bees, birds and our eyes happy after looking at this sweet late 19th century watercolour.
Exceedingly pretty and wonderfully executed, this traditional Japanese still life of magnolia and Sakura blossoms captures a beetle and a Monarch butterfly flocking towards the branch. The traditional pith paper gives delicate look to the painting and makes the detail of the fine brushwork shine through in this accomplished botanical study.
Mid 19th Century Gouache - Magnolia And Sakura Blossom With Butterfly
This late 19th century beauty has really retained its vibrancy over the years. The blues of the cornflowers seem to lift the composition off the page giving this simple botanical study a really dynamic feel.
While these wonderful embroidered blooms are all supposed to be flowers, the one on the top left looks an awful lot like a butterfly, which we love.
This watercolour of two dog roses side by side is a great one to bring a vintage feel to your home.
A bit of a different composition to traditional 19th century botanical studies, but this painting of roses is really elevated by its landscape background.
What’s not to love about these tinie tiny dainty flowers?
Late 19th Century Watercolour - Botanical Study of Dainty Flowers
This very fine study by well listed artist William Cruikshank is a must have for any fan of delicate still life studies.
William Cruikshank (1848-1922) - Watercolour Blossom and Dunnock Eggs
A reminder that even the spikiest of flower attract the pollinators!