Botanical Riches: Stories of Botanical Exploration - Hardcover

Aitken, Richard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0853319553 ISBN 13: 9780853319559

Publisher: Lund Humphries Pub Ltd, 2007

Synopsis

'This is a book to treasure. Lavishly illustrated, lovingly written, globally inclusive…' (Choice). Hailed on publication as essential reading for anyone interested in plants and gardens, Botanical Riches is now available for the first time in a beautifully produced paperback edition.The botanical riches of this book are twofold. This is firstly a book about plants themselves, and the story of their exploration, appreciation, introduction and exploitation through the ages. But it is equally about the collective library of books that document this botanical exploration and appreciation of plants, and the history and craft of botanical illustration. Botanical Riches is magnificently illustrated with some of the world's most glorious engraved, lithographed and hand-coloured botanical illustrations, from the earliest Renaissance herbals to elaborate and beautiful volumes from the golden age of printing.

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2007

About this title

About the Author

Richard Aitken is a writer, architect, curator and historian who has edited the Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens. A founder member of the Australian Garden History Society, he has written and lectured on garden history. He has also prepared conservation plans for gardens in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Review

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2007 'This is a book to treasure. Lavishly illustrated, lovingly written, globally inclusive...Readers will find some wonderfully compelling cultural-botanical juxtapositions... Representations of plant forms are stunningly presented ... Maps, garden flowers, floras, and portraits of botanists round out the visual feast, all of it accompanied by readable, informative text. Essential. All levels.' -Choice 'A lush treat at an encouragingly modest price.' Historic Gardens Review ' ... an engaging and thoughtful treatment of many important works in the botanical art canon ... the real stength here lies in [Aitken's] remarkable aptitude for synthesis and narrative fluidity ... [his] text admirably leads the reader effortlessly through time and locales ... Richard Aitken deserves much praise for his poise and evenhandedness ...'. Huntia 2007 'A series of wonderful colour illustrations bound into a beautifully designed and produced volume at an exceptionally reasonable price, make this book a must have for anyone interested in plants and gardens.' Art News Letter

Edition details

• Publisher: Lund Humphries Pub Ltd
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0853319553
• ISBN 13: 9780853319559
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 243