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The Country Flowers Of A Victorian Lady
Hailed by the press as a publishing phenomenon, The Country Flowers of a Victorian Lady is a classic work that will "change the way we look at flowers forever" (Mail on Sunday, London).
Over the past 150 years Fanny Robinson's "Book of Memory," as she called it, has been enjoyed as a treasured heirloom by her family. Now, for the first time, her beautiful work -- arguably the most exquisite collection of Victorian flower paintings in existence -- can be appreciated by all.
Fanny's exceptional book combines elegant watercolors with evocative poetry that is finely illuminated in the manner of a medieval Book of Hours. Using the symbolic Language of Flowers, she invests each flower grouping with subtle and often highly romantic meanings -- indeed, it is thought that the volume was intended as a lasting tribute to a lost lover.
In her fascinating commentary on the paintings, Gill Saunders, a senior curator in the Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, explains the intriguing floral symbolism and takes the reader on a delightful journey into Fanny Robinson's leisured and cultivated world of flower, pen and brush.
Over the past 150 years Fanny Robinson's "Book of Memory," as she called it, has been enjoyed as a treasured heirloom by her family. Now, for the first time, her beautiful work -- arguably the most exquisite collection of Victorian flower paintings in existence -- can be appreciated by all.
Fanny's exceptional book combines elegant watercolors with evocative poetry that is finely illuminated in the manner of a medieval Book of Hours. Using the symbolic Language of Flowers, she invests each flower grouping with subtle and often highly romantic meanings -- indeed, it is thought that the volume was intended as a lasting tribute to a lost lover.
In her fascinating commentary on the paintings, Gill Saunders, a senior curator in the Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, explains the intriguing floral symbolism and takes the reader on a delightful journey into Fanny Robinson's leisured and cultivated world of flower, pen and brush.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published August 18, 1999
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241 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 19, 2018
It's pretty.
September 4, 2019
Finding this sister of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady at a messy, musty, marvelous book shop was a wonder. The illustrations are elegant--they remind me of heirloom china. The commentary detracts a bit from the artistry, but adds interesting information. It's a bit more parlor-y than earthy like Country Diary, but a broody Victorian hero would approve of Ms. Robinson, for she is certainly Accomplished.
10/10 Instagram-worthy couplets for the Victorian, Somber, Charming, and Odd (VSCO) girl.
On chrysanthemums and winter jasmine: "Ye bring your bright blossoms when Summer is gone, / Like new hope, to the heart of a desolate one."
On spring flowers: "Spring returns, the flowerets blow / Will hope return? ah no."
A delightful find at Dawn Treader Book Shop in Ann Arbor, MI.
10/10 Instagram-worthy couplets for the Victorian, Somber, Charming, and Odd (VSCO) girl.
On chrysanthemums and winter jasmine: "Ye bring your bright blossoms when Summer is gone, / Like new hope, to the heart of a desolate one."
On spring flowers: "Spring returns, the flowerets blow / Will hope return? ah no."
A delightful find at Dawn Treader Book Shop in Ann Arbor, MI.
November 27, 2023
A really interesting book with wonderful watercolour paintings of different flower arrangements.
I expected this book to just tell me what the flowers 'meant' according to Victorian customs, but this book is far more personal to the author. I found it quite sad and poignant how the beautiful art and poetry seems to refer to an unrequited love that died.
I expected this book to just tell me what the flowers 'meant' according to Victorian customs, but this book is far more personal to the author. I found it quite sad and poignant how the beautiful art and poetry seems to refer to an unrequited love that died.
January 31, 2021
A FEAST for heart, mind and soul!
May 18, 2024
great art and poems!
July 25, 2024
Delightful in every way!
April 11, 2025
Beautiful! Great for art references!
February 13, 2008
.65 cents on amazon is my excuse. A reviewer said they're the best Victorian watercolors (surely and exaggeration) out there. It's Michigan, 16 degrees, Feb 13th, I'm a gardener. I don't have to justify myself; it's just that innate guilt that keeps me civilized like the rest of you...Where the H did I put that Freud book???
October 30, 2010
This is a beautiful book about the victorian symbolism of flowers and is full of gorgeous watercolor illustrations. It would be a nice gift for a lady or little girl who loves flowers. It's a quick, easy, and enjoyable read that would make for a great coffee table book. I wouldn't mind owning it myself.
January 26, 2013
Gorgeous reproductions from the original "Book of Memory" by Fanny Robinson. Each plate contains text about the flower and also allusions to what it might have represented in her own life. Slighted love, jealousy, hope? All interesting sentiments to a Victorian lady we don't really know about, but can only guess.
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March 19, 2009Victorian,flowers
July 22, 2015
The illustrations in this book are gorgeous, and the poems are nice. It's made me want to go out and get a book on flower symbolism.
September 23, 2015
beautiful book. illustrations are great examples of victorian times.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews