Botanical Art Gallery

Aerides quinquevulnera, 1838

Original drawing for plate XXX in John Lindley's Sertum orchidaceum: a wreath of the most beautiful orchidaceous flowers; selected by John Lindley, published in 1838. Illustration shows part monochromatic, part colour study of leaves, roots and flowers. Drawing inscribed by Drake across top edge, Thick, fleshy, bright green leaves, veins indistinct - use German blue for the green & a little body colour to give a waxy effect['] Aug 8.1839'. Also inscribed by Drake Cuming's...[']'. Several creases on drawing as a result of being poorly mounted. Also inscribed lower left corner in different hand Rec'd Sept. 15 1925'. According to Lindley, Mr Hugh Cuming, who has been passing some time in the Philippines, and who has investigated the Botany of those rich islands with great zeal and industry, sent the plant now published to Messrs. Loddiges: with whom it flowered in August last'. This date corresponds with Drake's inscription (Lindley's publication was printed as ten fascicles beginning in 1838) The reference to German blue probably means a colour close to Prussian blue, which was used as a dye to colour German military uniforms at the time

© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Protea formosa, R.Br. (Crown-flowered Protea)

Original illustration from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, published as plate 1713, 1st March 1815. Watercolour and pencil on paper. This species is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. According to J. Sims it was growing in the mountains of Hottentots-Holland and was introduced to England in 1789 by Mr Francis Masson. This drawing was taken at Messrs Lee and Kennedy's in Hammersmith

© RBG KEW

Pharnaceum incanum, L. ('Hoary Pharnaceum')

Original illustration from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, published as plate 1883, 1st February 1817. Watercolour and pencil on paper. This species is a native of the Cape of Good Hope and, according to Sims, J., it was introduced to England by George Wynch in 1782. This specimen was communicated by Messrs Whitley, Brame and Milne of the Fulham Nursery

© RBG KEW