German flag irises, Montpellier ranunculus, turban ranunculus, and bluebells, Alexander Marshal, c. 1650-82

A page of watercolours of six flowers including the common purple iris, a blue flag iris, a red ranunculus and a yellow ranunculus, and two wild hyacinths (or harebells). Marshal evidently enjoyed juxtaposing complex and simple forms in his ‘plant portraits’. Here the extravagant flower heads of the irises contrast with the slender forms of the bluebells and ranunculi. Provenance: presented to george iv. Date: c. 1650-82. Dimensions: 45.9 x 34.2 cm (sheet of paper). Medium: watercolour. German flag irises, Montpellier ranunculus, turban ranunculus, and bluebells (RCIN 924330-2)