A New Flowering

A collection of one thousand years of botanical art displayed in the Ashmolean's leading exhibition, which provides an opportunity to compare illustrations by contemporary artists alongside botanical art of the past. The oldest exhibit is a drawing of a thistle made by a monk from the late 11th century.

This work is an exhibition of one thousand years of botanical art displayed in the Ashmolean's leading exhibition and providing the unique opportunity to compare illustrations by contemporary artists alongside remarkable botanical art of the past. Chosen by Dr Shirley Sherwood from her acclaimed collection of botanical painting and from the rich historical treasures of Oxford's libraries and museums these inspiring plant portraits stand at the interface between art and science. The oldest exhibit is a drawing of a thistle made by a monk from the late 11th century and the most recent painting, by Angela Mirro, is of a rare Peruvian slipper orchid discovered in 2002. By contrasting the old with the new throughout the show, it becomes apparent that the criteria for botanical illustration have not changed throughout the centuries.