Velvet rose, unidentified rose, flaxleaf pimpernel, damask rose, water forget-me-not, and Austrian copper rose, Alexander Marshal, c. 1650-82

A page of watercolours of flowers including four roses - an austrian rose with petals on the ground, and a velvet, marble and damask rose, a great long-leafed brook lime and a narrow leafed pimpernel. The velvet rose (rosa gallica var. Officinalis) at upper left originated in france and southern europe. The damask rose (rosa damascena) at centre was thought to be a native of damascus, though it grew all over the near east. These are among the five ancestors of the garden roses of today. Provenance: presented to george iv. Date: c. 1650-82. Dimensions: 45.9 x 34.6 cm (sheet of paper). Medium: watercolour. Velvet rose, unidentified rose, flaxleaf pimpernel, damask rose, water forget-me-not, and Austrian copper rose (RCIN 924345-1)