The Highgrove Florilegium
The First British Royal Florilegium
Working in a garden or, indeed
trying to capture in
watercolour the essence of a plant, is not only good for the soul, but
it can
also help to teach us a fundamental humility that is of crucial
importance in
today's world. It reminds us that we are, in truth, a part of and not
apart
from Nature.
Over the last five years leading botanical artists from around the
world were invited to paint examples of the plants and trees growing in
HRH The Prince of Wales’ garden at Highgrove in Gloucestershire.
Distinguished botanists worked with David Howard, the former Head
Gardener at Highgrove, to ensure that a representative selection of
species should display every facet of this great garden: with plants
both decorative and useful, plants that are rare and in decline, the
commonplace and the ravishing.
Addison Publications Ltd was asked by The Prince to make a limited edition publication from the original watercolours, which is published as a two volume set and issued by subscription.
Volume I was published in 2008 and the first copies of Volume II were finished to coincide with the opening of the exhibition of 72 of the original watercolours from the project called ‘The Highgrove Florilegium’ which opened on 12th May 2009 at the Garden Museum.
The edition, dedicated by the Artists to His Royal Highness, is limited to just 175 numbered sets. Volume 1 (Published in 2008) contains 61 images and the first copy, Number 1/175, was delivered to the Prince of Wales in March of 2008. His Royal Highness, who wrote the Preface, has kindly agreed to sign each numbered set. All royalties from the publication are donated to The Prince’s Charities Foundation.
The binding of the volumes has been painstakingly undertaken by the best craftspeople in Britain from the gold embossing on the leather to the hand- marbling on the cover. To request more information on the craftwork or subscription details please follow link below.
This is truly a magnificent Royal Florilegium and we hope worthy of the love His Royal Highness has for his garden and the dedication the distinguished artists have for their craft.
