The world of Elizabeth Blackwell

Museum Friend and volunteer Rick Domas (Director of Kate Gallery in Horsham) looks at the work of Elizabeth Blackwell.

It was a real pleasure last week to view the many fine offerings in Forum Auctions’ July 31 online sale of books and works on paper.

I am the happy winner of several lots.

Of particular interest was Lot 282, a two-volume uncoloured set of “A Curious Herbal, containing … the most useful Plants, which are now used in the Practice of Physick” by
Elizabeth Blackwell, published in London by John Nourse in 1739.

A complete set (roughly 500) of uncoloured plates is highly unusual. In this state, the true artistry of Blackwell is quite evident, and leaves little wonder as to their attraction by both professional and lay botanists and plant lovers. And to today’s book collectors.

The set sold for £4,064 with premium.

I have several coloured Blackwell botanicals in my print collection. See photos for coloured versions of a wild tansie (below) and yellow asphodel (above).

Blackwell was the daughter of a stocking merchant of Aberdeen. At an early age, she eloped with her feckless husband (Dr) Alexander Blackwell to London.

Dr Blackwell abandoned medicine to become a printer, ending up in debtor’s prison.

Elizabeth subsequently extricated her husband from his pecuniary difficulties by applying her talent for painting to the delineation of medicinal plants.

Yet another example of a powerful and talented artistic woman. I’m married to one and my daughter Kate is one!