The History of Botanical Art

Govan, Carol. Abandoned Parking Lot. Watercolor.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society is pleased to present a lecture by Carol Govan on The History of Botanical Art on Tuesday, March 1, surrounded by beautiful facsimiles in the Highgrove Florilegium and historic prints from Mass Hort’s collection. This lecture will enhance your experience of the exhibit and knowledge of botanical art.

Botanical illustration is the art of depicting the form, color, and details of plant species with the main goal of scientific accuracy. Govan will give us an overview of plant images created for various audiences through the ages. The first botanical illustrations were in herbals for medicinal use. Later florilegia described new and unusual plants discovered during colonizing efforts. Finally, scientific collections including floras, all plants in a particular area, and monographs or collections showing one plant family, show many beautiful botanical illustrations.

Carol Govan is a professional artist, botanical illustrator and teacher. She teaches a variety of courses combining science and art at the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens, the New England Wild Flower Society, the Audubon Society and the Arnold Arboretum. She is on the faculty for the Certificate of Botanical Art at the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens.

Guests will have the opportunity to visit the Exhibit before and after the lecture. Prints from the Highgrove Florilegium and Mass Hort Collections will be available for purchase.

Member Cost: $15
Non-Member Cost $25

Blizzard Date for this event will be Wednesday, March 2