With the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in full bloom, it seems only right to have a bit of a floral festival here at the Library.

The Golden age of botanical art by Martyn Rix

Andre Deutsch, 2012

Andre Deutsch, 2012

This truly global survey follows both explorers and artists over the centuries to unveil some of the greatest glories of botanical art. Sumptuously produced, the imagery and text tells the story of the opening up of new lands, the discovery of new flora, and the botanists and artists who created masterpieces through their documentation of it.

Capturing flora : 300 years of Australian botanical art: curated by Gordon Morrison

Art Gallery of Ballarat, 2012

Art Gallery of Ballarat, 2012

This lovely catalogue from the Art Gallery of Ballarat is wholly concerned with the history of botanical illustration in Australia over 3oo years, from the early encounters of the first European settlers to its central place in the imagery of Australia throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, particularly as ideas of Australian nationhood took hold.

Flower power : the meaning of flowers in art: edited by Andrew Moore and Christopher Garibaldi

Philip Wilson, 2003

Philip Wilson, 2003

Through a range of decorative objects, paintings, photographs, furniture and textiles this book explore the ways in which flowers, and particularly cut flowers, have been used throughout the ages to symbolise and suggest everything from fertility and love to sorrow and death. The language of flowers has been interpreted and reinterpreted throughout all ages and all cultures, and this well illustrated study provides an accessible starting point for those in need of a translation.

Clearings : six colonial gardeners and their landscapes by Paul Fox

Miegunyah, 2004

Miegunyah, 2004

Paul Fox investigates the life and work of six colonial pioneers who had a major impact on the Australian landscape in the 19th century, the ramifications of which are still being felt today. From men who could only envision the landscape through a European sensibility to visionaries who recognised the dangers of traditional approaches to their new, very non-traditional environment.

The history of gardens in painting by Nils Büttner

Abbeville Press, 2008

Abbeville Press, 2008

From those extraordinary garden frescoes in the villas of Ancient Rome through to the riotously colourful pictures of David Hockney, Nils Buttner examines not just the garden in art but why artists paint gardens and what they say about their society and times.

Gardenesque : a celebration of Australian gardening: by Richard Aitken

 

Miegunyah Press, 2004

Miegunyah Press, 2004

Now here’s a home-grown treasure. Richard Aitken explores the State Library of Victoria’s own vast and wonderful collection of material relating to gardens and gardening. Maps, plans, photos, brochures, posters, catalogues, paintings, drawings, the parade seems endless, all beautifully contextualised by Richard with some charming personal perspectives from Anne Latrelle, Paul Fox and Michael Leunig. A total delight!

 

Are we having fun yet?  Garden frolics from our Picture Collection

Hanson photographs of Victoria and New South Wales

Hanson photographs of Victoria and New South Wales

 

This article has 1 comment

  1. Richard Overell

    Nice books Dermot, especially Gardenesque

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*