A watercolour of fourteen auriculas (primula x pubescens) with flowers and leaves and a whole plant, including roots at the bottom of the page in the centre. Inscribed in pen and ink at the upper right corner of the sheet: 14. Folio 14 of alexander marshal's florilegium, begun in about 1650 and added to until his death. The 159 sheets show plants and flowers of english gardens over the course of a year. Manuscript florilegia were common in continental europe in the seventeenth century, but this flower book is apparently unique in english art of the period. Auricula, commonly known as bear's eyes, were extremely popular in the seventeenth century. Those with striped and notched petals were exclusive plants and only grown in the finest gardens. Striped and double varieties such as the specimen at top left were particularly highly prized. Date: c. 1650-82. Dimensions: 45.9 x 33.0 cm (sheet of paper). Medium: watercolour. Auriculas (Primula x pubescens) (RCIN 924281)
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