A Magnolia species: flowering stem with labelled floral segments, fruit and seed. Colored etching by G. D. Ehret, c.1737.
What's the difference between
botanical art, botanical illustration and flower painting?
Put simply the differences relate to EMPHASIS: In botanical illustration / plant illustration - the emphasis is on the scientific record and botanical accuracy to enable identification of a plant. Conventional botanical illustrations are made from live plants or herbarium specimens to illustrate a botanical text (e.g. an article or monograph). Typically, the illustration will depict ALL relevant aspects of the plant, including the life cycle, that enable accurate identification. It frequently includes relevant dissections for species identification. Over 90% of botanical illustrations are monochrome (drawn in pen and ink or digitally) to permit publication without the expense of color reproduction. In botanical art - artwork is always scientifically and botanically correct but not necessarily complete. More emphasis is placed on the aesthetic value of the plant or flower but without the requirement for ALL the information required by the botanists. Artwork is frequently in color (on a plain background). It may also include a record of the plant growing in its natural habitat. Botanical art may form part of a project and contribute to a flora - records made of plants in a geographical location or garden. In flower painting and "plant portraits" - The emphasis is much more about a pleasing painting and much less on the botanical accuracy or natural colours or the various features of the flower. Flowers are often found in vases sitting within a still life context - or in a garden or the countryside. The style of painting may be more impressionistic, colors and/or relative size may not be entirely true. Informing or educating for scientific purposes are not of primary importance. Please click on the link in the title for so much more. |
