Giant Everlasting and Protea on the Hills near Port Elizabeth 1882

Marianne North made this painting of Giant Everlasting and Protea flowers on the hills near Port Elizabeth using oil paints and brushes. What's striking is the contrast between the precision of the botanical illustration and the sweep of the landscape in the background. The work is all about observation, but it’s also deeply social. North was a Victorian woman of means, and her travels were enabled by a network of global trade and colonial expansion. Note the incredible detail she brings to the forms of the plants. We can imagine her patiently building up layers of paint to capture the textures, the light on the leaves, and the overall sculptural presence of these botanical specimens. Ultimately, this painting invites us to consider how artistic practices are intertwined with broader social issues, such as exploration, botanical science, and the consumption of natural resources. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and appreciate the complex layers of meaning embedded in the artwork.