Description
Exclusive Botanical Floral Print – Auricula and Houndstongue from Volume I of the 1st Duchess of Beaufort’s florilegium – Limited Print Run of 300.
The plant in the middle is a cynoglossum or ‘Houndstongue’, now designated as a weed, but it was thought in the 17th and 18th centuries to have medicinal properties for treating madness. Either side are auriculas, which were very fashionable at the time. The duchess particularly loved variegated – or as she called them “striped” – plants. She may well have received these from Jacob Bobart the Younger, the keeper of the Oxford Physic Garden, who was a known auricula breeder, or possibly she grew them herself.
In 1703, Mary Somerset, first Duchess of Beaufort, commissioned Everard Kik, a Dutch botanical artist, to create a series of paintings. These showcased the extraordinary variety of plants she had grown from seeds sent to her from all over the world. They later bound the final collection of 178 paintings into a two-volume album, a “florilegium.” Badminton House holds the album, where Mary lived and grew many of her plants.
Reflecting on her passion for plants, Duchess Mary once wrote, “When I get into stories of plants, I know not how to get out.” Indeed, her legacy flourishes at Badminton Estate, where her early interests have shaped the stunning gardens and glasshouses that captivate visitors to this day.
In 2024, for the first time in 300 years, the public had the opportunity to view these works of art. The exhibition provided a rare glimpse into the Duchess’s phenomenal botanical collection. These timeless artworks showcase the diverse flora Duchess Mary nurtured and highlight her profound influence on scientific exploration and cultural appreciation of nature.
This exclusive botanical floral print will enchant any bedroom wall and make a wonderful gift.
