Sunday 18 April 2010

Today's idea - Plant Portraits at the Booth Museum



Today's Marathon Day. Notably there are other things on in Brighton, one of which is Frankie Boyle, the rowdy Scotsman, and another is the sound of the Cricket Club rousing itself into action. Our favourite thing meanwhile, is a return visit to the Booth Museum of Natural History.

A loved little gem worth a venture down Dyke Road to, today's exhibition dubbed 'Plant Portraits' hope to capture what photos cannot displaying collection of paintings by botanical artists. The paintings aim to convey a plant's technical form and structure as well as beauty. For scientists and art fans, the museum boldly declares:
"Art is important in understanding and communicating the natural world and plants are fundamental to our survival."

Botanical illustrators today are not just flower painters, but inheritors of a legacy of historical importance going back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. To be successful they must be technically highly competent in drawing and painting, with a good knowledge of botany and the ability to convey the sense of wonder of the plant world.

The beautiful works of art in Plant Portraits are complemented by magnificently illustrated botanical books and specimens from the Booth Museum collections."

Running until the 24th September this year, admission to the exhibition is free. Today it's open from 2-5pm (otherwise: Monday-Wednesday, Friday-Saturday 10am-5pm). We shall be dragging all our biology-interested friends on an outing to this.

Find a map here.

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