James Bolton (1735-1799)

Sprekelia formosissima (Jacobean or St. James's Lily)

細節

James Bolton (1735-1799)
Sprekelia formosissima (Jacobean or St. James's Lily)
signed and dated 'James Bolton Pinx't.- 1785.' (lower right) and inscribed 'Amaryllis formocissima Linn: syst. Nat. p: 236.' (lower centre)
pencil and watercolour, heightened with white and gum arabic, within the artist's lined border, watermark Strasburg lily over 'GR'
20 x 13 in. (50.8 x 34.9 cm.)

拍品專文

The present species was originally known as Amaryllis formosissima and was first published in 1753 by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum. The reference inscribed by Bolton on the watercolour refers to Linnaeus' Systema Naturae, 1759, edition 10, vol. 2, Vegetabilia, p. 236. The flower is also known as 'Aztec Lily', as it is a native of Mexico.

A similar composition on a smaller scale, painted by Bolton, is included in an album of watercolours on vellum, in the Lindley Library, Royal Horticultural Society, London.