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Inner Beauty? Paintings of Medicinal Plants by Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society
Saturday, September 12–Sunday, November 8
Margaret King, Cydonia oblonga, 1998.
Watercolor on paper, © Chelsea Physic Garden
Chelsea Physic Garden was founded in London in 1673 by the Society of Apothecaries to train apprentices in identifying medicinal plants. The garden continues to play a crucial role in pharmaceutical research and to display medicinal species used in many cultures. The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society was formed in 1995, with the aim of recording the plants growing in the garden. Five years later, in part inspired by Chelsea's model, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Florilegium Society was established; and in 2003, the two societies affiliated. This exhibition comprises watercolors by 45 members and will be a fascinating introduction to one of the world's oldest botanic gardens and many of the UK's best contemporary botanical artists. Gallery talks and workshops with visiting artists will be scheduled.