Icones Plantarum<\/a>,\u201d another extensive publication of 40 volumes depicting plants drawn from herbarium specimens held by Kew.\u00a0 Smith was skilled at recreating the appearance of living plants despite the limitations of a dried, flattened subject and contributed 1,500 images to this publication.\u00a0 Although completed over 100 years ago, a facsimile copy in the Miller Library is still consulted on a regular basis by researchers.<\/p>\nSmith\u2019s work included some of the first images in European science of the flora of New Zealand including this fern, Todea superba<\/em>.\u00a0 Late in her career, she was the illustrator for \u201cIllustrations of the New Zealand Flora\u201d edited by Thomas Frederick Cheeseman, published in 1914.\u00a0 In his preface, the editor writes, \u201caltogether, nearly five thousand of her drawings have actually appeared in various well-known publications.\u00a0 I think that all capable judges will agree with me in saying that the plates contained in these volumes will enhance her already well-earned reputation.\u201d<\/p>\nReviewed by: Brian Thompson on November 21, 2023<\/p>\n
Excerpted from the Winter 2024 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Matilda Smith (1854-1926) did not have art training as a child, but she developed a keen interest in plants.\u00a0 It was helpful for this pursuit to be part of a botanically oriented family, including her second cousin Joseph Hooker, who was the second director of Kew Gardens. Smith became good friends with Hooker, who was a skilled illustrator, and he both tutored and encouraged her in learning this skill.\u00a0 He recommended she submit drawings to \u201cCurtis\u2019s Botanical Magazine.\u201d\u00a0 This long-running…<\/p>\n
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.<\/a>\u201d\u00a0 This long-running periodical, started in 1787 and still published today, profiles new plant discoveries for both botanists and gardeners.\u00a0 This encouragement was well-placed as over the next 42 years, she contributed 2,300 drawings to this celebrated publication.<\/p>\n