Nelly Roberts, a Pioneering Orchid Artist
In 1897 London, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) hired an artist to document award-winning orchids in detail. Nelly Roberts became the first orchid artist for the RHS, and would go on to hold the job for 56 years. She left a legacy of thousands of exquisite, botanically accurate paintings. Before she died in 1959, she had been lauded with awards and orchids named for her, but was mostly unknown outside the British orchid world. Fortunately, there has been a growing recognition of her superb talent and important contributions. Her home and grave have received historical markers, and art shows have been devoted to her work. Many of her illustrations are depicted in the book The Orchid: From the Archives of the Royal Horticultural Society.
To learn more, check out these earlier posts:
– Hidden Stories of Groundbreaking Women: Orchid Illustrators
– Enduring Beauty – Orchid Portraits of the RHS
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