"Three days for painting a single leaf": The intricate, meticulous work of the artists in Chelsea Physic Garden's Florilegium Society
Celebrating Botanical Art: The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society Turns 30
In the heart of London, near the Embankment, lies the historic Chelsea Physic Garden, a botanical haven that has been in operation since 1673. This year, the garden's Florilegium Society is celebrating its 30th anniversary, a testament to the enduring passion for botanical art and science.
The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society (CPGFS) is an association of top botanical illustrators, dedicated to documenting the garden's diverse plant collection through meticulous and detailed artwork. The society, established in 1995 by Margaret King, a former director at British clothing brand Aquascutum and Margaret Thatcher's stylist, continues the tradition of botanical art associated with the garden.
The society's members are a diverse group of artists, each with their unique skills and expertise. Some, like the Deputy Chairman, are also herald painters, demonstrating the precision and attention to detail required for botanical illustration. Others, such as Gillian Barlow, are involved in other art forms, bringing a richness of perspective to their botanical work.
The CPGFS's primary purpose is to create florilegiums, carefully detailed botanical artworks that provide both scientific and artistic records of plants. A good florilegium is produced exactly to scale, with colors perfectly accurate and all stages and parts of the plant recorded. The society selects one plant each year for a detailed painting, donating the finished piece to the Chelsea Physic Garden.
One of the most notable artists associated with the CPGFS is Mary Ellen Taylor, the society's chairperson. Taylor has spent three years painstakingly illustrating a magnolia tree, waiting for a seed pod to mature. Her work, along with that of other society members, is a testament to the time-consuming and meticulous nature of botanical illustration.
Despite the challenges, the CPGFS thrives. Most members have been with the society for years, and the numbers are rising once more, despite a dip during the pandemic. The society meets about nine times a year to work on their chosen subject, with some projects taking several years to complete.
The CPGFS's work is not just about creating beautiful art. It is about preserving botanical knowledge, connecting contemporary artists to a historic tradition, and promoting botanical education. The society's aim is to make a visual record of all the plants in the physic garden, which totals approximately 5,000.
Transporting the plant cuttings can involve creative methods, such as using plastic bottles or supermarket freezer bags. This is a testament to the society's dedication, as they go to great lengths to capture the essence of each plant in their artwork.
In the Age of Exploration, botanical illustration was highly valued as it allowed for accurate recording of exotic specimens. The CPGFS continues this tradition, fostering a sense of camaraderie and purpose among its members. The society's work is not just about creating beautiful art, but about preserving botanical knowledge, connecting contemporary artists to a historic tradition, and promoting botanical education.
For those interested in botanical art, an annual membership to the Chelsea Physic Garden provides access an hour before it opens to the general public. This exclusive opportunity allows members to witness the beauty and intricacy of the garden's plants up close, a fitting tribute to the work of the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society.
References: [1] Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society. (n.d.). About the Florilegium Society. Retrieved from https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/florilegium-society/about-the-florilegium-society
[2] The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society. (2021). About the CPGFS. Retrieved from https://www.cpgfs.org/about-us
[3] The History of the Chelsea Physic Garden. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/history
[4] The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society. (2020). The CPGFS at 25. Retrieved from https://www.cpgfs.org/25th-anniversary-booklet
Inspired by the rich diversity of plants in the Chelsea Physic Garden, the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society (CPGFS) creates home-and-garden artworks that preserve botanical knowledge, connecting contemporary artists to a historic tradition. The CPGFS encourages membership, especially for those captivated by the lifestyle of botanical art and the dedication required for such intricate work.
