Seville orange, purple crocuses, grass snake and goat moth caterpillar, Alexander Marshal, c. 1650-82

A watercolour depicting a citrus aurantium with dark leaves, buds green and ripe fruit, two crocus vernus showing leaves and flowers, a snake and a caterpillar. The seville orange was first grown in england in the late sixteenth century. Specially constructed orangeries, providing shelter and warmth for the trees in winter, began to be developed in the early seventeenth century. Provenance: presented to george iv. Date: c. 1650-82. Dimensions: 46.0 x 33.3 cm (sheet of paper). Medium: watercolour. Seville orange, purple crocuses, grass snake and goat moth caterpillar (RCIN 924270)