Trees Laden with Parasites and Epiphytes in a Brazilian Garden 1873

Marianne North created this oil painting titled ‘Trees Laden with Parasites and Epiphytes in a Brazilian Garden’ in the late nineteenth century. North was an intrepid Victorian traveler, and she used painting as a means of botanical documentation during her travels. In this painting, North’s detailed and accurate botanical illustration creates a striking image of the dense and complex plant life in Brazil. Her work reflects the Victorian era's fascination with natural history and scientific exploration, which was often tied to colonial expansion and the exploitation of natural resources. Although she was working outside the official institutions of the art world, North would later found her own gallery at Kew Gardens, demonstrating the power of wealthy individuals to shape the public understanding of nature. To fully understand North’s painting, one might consult her journals, letters, and other writings, which provide valuable insights into her motivations, experiences, and the social context in which she worked.