E.F. Seedling Amaryllis 1819 1824

Priscilla Susan Bury made this ‘E.F. Seedling Amaryllis’ in 1819 using watercolor and graphite on paper. The effect is startlingly lifelike, achieved through close observation and meticulous technique. Consider the context: this was an era when scientific illustration was crucial to botany and horticulture. Flowers newly introduced to Europe from abroad were prized, especially by wealthy collectors who funded botanical expeditions. The making of images like this one was part of that economic and social system. Bury was deeply engaged in the work, she was not simply creating pretty pictures. Look closely at the plant’s structure, its unique variations of color, and subtle gradations of tone. Notice how the white background isolates the plant for close examination. The level of detail shows the deep labor of seeing, understanding, and rendering. By focusing on the means of production, we can appreciate how artistic skill, scientific inquiry, and the dynamics of class and commerce are all intertwined in this striking image.