Botanical Art: The History of Botanical Art from Early Times to the Present
Botanical art, with its rich history and high standards, has always informed and promoted botany and the plant world. Pam Harrington, botanical illustrator and horticulturist will trace the evolving role of this art form starting with botanical art and illustrations in medieval and renaissance times, through its rise to a “Golden Age”. The work of Edward Lewis Peckham of Providence, RI during the mid 19th century, which is featured in the current exhibit Entwined: Botany, Art and the Lost Cat Swamp Habitat at John Hay Library, offers fine examples of drawings typical of this period.
Pam will then turn to the reasons for the wane of botanical art and illustration in the 20th century and along with its resurgence in the 1990’s. It is currently evolving as important art form. Increasing numbers of contemporary botanical artists around the globe are working to document indigenous plant communities and to inspire plant conservation by educating the public about the beauty of plants through botanical art.
Pam Harrington came to botanical art through her interest in plants and native flora after a career in industry as a research chemist. Pam trained at the Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Garden’s Program in Botanical Art and Illustration and is an active member of the New England Society of Botanical Artists (NESBA) Chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA), a member of the New England Wildflower Society, and a Massachusetts Master Gardener. She is fascinated by the history of botanical art and illustration, the plant hunters, and the artistic representation of the botanic world.
This talk is one a several special programs being offered in conjunction with the exhibit Entwined: Botany, Art and the Lost Cat Swamp Habitat. The exhibit will be open for viewing an hour before the talk! See schedule below
Driving directions to John Hay Library, Brown University, 20 Prospect Street, Providence, RI.
Schedule of Events -All Events are Free & Open to the Public
1:00 to 2:00 — Announcements and viewing of the exhibit Entwined: Botany, Art and the Lost Cat Swamp Habitat. Refreshments will be served in the lobby.
If your last name begins with the letters A through M, please bring refreshments to share. RIWPS baseball style caps will also be available for sale.
2:00 to 3:30 — Talk by Pamela Harrington, The History of Botanical Art from Early Times to the Present