Despite having no formal artistic training and a rather unconventional technique, North documented her subjects in situ with a scientific accuracy that continues to impress botanists today. More than eight hundred of her detailed, brightly colored paintings are displayed in Kew''s Marianne North Gallery, which was built under her patronage and opened in 1882. Fully illustrated and including a stunning eight-page fold-out, this engaging and accessible account provides an overview of North''s spirited work, life, and travels as well as a concise history of the popular gallery—newly restored and refurbished—where almost all her paintings hang. The Marianne North Gallery is among Kew''s finest attractions, and this exquisite volume captures its magic to perfection.
|