Mourning iris, germander speedwell, broad-bodied chaser dragonfly, turban ranunculus (double form), flesh fly, honeywort, and bigroot cranesbill, Alexander Marshal, c. 1650-82

A page of watercolours of plants and insects including a long rooted cranesbill, a honeywort, a large turkey iris, an orange asiatic ranunculus, a wild germander. The mourning iris was introduced to england around 1570 from western asia. In addition to his love of flowers, marshal was also a keen entomologist and owned a large collection of insect specimens. The dragonfly and flesh fly on this sheet are depicted in great detail and with evident knowledge of insect anatomy. Provenance: presented to george iv. Date: c. 1650-82. Dimensions: 46.0 x 33.3 cm (sheet of paper). Medium: watercolour. Mourning iris, germander speedwell, broad-bodied chaser dragonfly, turban ranunculus (double form), flesh fly, honeywort, and bigroot cranesbill (RCIN 924325-2)