The Intricacy of Botanical Art
While any member of contemporary botanical artists society will of course have a deeper understanding of what this precise and technical art form entails than the average Joe on the street, it is probably not a stretch to say that a lot of people have appreciated this form of expression throughout their lifetime. In fact, many of the works that botanical painters have created throughout the years have been appreciated on calendars, stationary, clothing and books for decades.
The traditions appreciated by any botanical artists society stem can still be viewed in galleries and showings around the world. Last month, the Royal Gazette reported on the beauty and skill that can be viewed in a Lady Charlotte Anna Lefroy exhibition at the Ace Gallery. On July 2, the Spectator also reviewed a gallery showing of Rory McEwen, which will be available until September 22 at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art.
Botanical art was pioneered hundreds of years ago when people used plants and herbs in medicinal healing. Since this was long before the camera was invented, people strove to draw and paint pictures of different flowers with extreme accuracy. Over time, this evolved into a craft that people like John James Audabon would make famous.
While fans of contemporary artists like Jackson Pollock or Barnett Newman may feel that Audabon and other people that today inspire the Botanical Artists Society lack a sense of creativity, they may be missing the proverbial forest for the trees. Botanical artists are often times among the most technically skilled of all their peers. They can create works that many people would otherwise mistake for photographs. Whether the piece they are composing is of an animal, vegetable or mineral, chances are that it will look exactly like it is supposed to.
Those that want to learn more will find no shortage of resources available to them, as there are still many people today carrying on this incredible artistic tradition.