Description
Exclusive Botanical Illustration Print – Thistle from Volume I of the 1st Duchess of Beaufort’s florilegium – Limited Print Run of 300.
The caption in the florilegium describes this thistle as “Carduus tomentosus Acanthium dictus arabicus”, referring to the name given by Leonard Plukenet, Royal Botanist to William and Mary. Experts have identified this plant as ‘Onopordum illyricum’, a type of thistle native to southwestern Europe. Although humans can eat the stems of a thistle, ‘Onopordum’ comes from the Greek word, onos, meaning donkey, a creature more often associated with thistle eating.
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.” Her legacy flourishes at Badminton, where her early interests have shaped the stunning gardens and glasshouses 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 artworks showcase the diverse flora Duchess Mary nurtured and her influence on scientific exploration and cultural appreciation of nature.
This exclusive limited edition print will enchant any bedroom wall and make a wonderful gift.
