Tuesday, December 23, 2014

H. Isabel Adams: Mystery Botanist and Artist


These elegant plates of species in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) are from a book called Wild Flowers of the British Isles by H. Isabel Adams, published by William Heinemann in London in 1910, in two volumes.

Isabel Adams also painted and hand lettered these elegant plates, whose style reminds me of some of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (click here for some examples)

























There seems to be almost no information about Miss Adams  on the web. The only substantial reference I can find is a review of her work in The Bookman in November 1910. 

Does anyone know anything more about this talented lady? She also illustrated a children's book -  Little Red Riding Hood and the History of Tom Thumb, published in 1904






6 comments:

  1. Aren't those plates beautiful?

    What a shame that she is almost invisible now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope I can spread the word about her wonderful talent

      Delete
  2. They are beautiful....
    Wishing you a Happy Christmas and Happy New Year
    Amanda xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Christmas to you too Amanda. I've really enjoyed visiting your blog this year. Have a great 2015!

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous illustrations, Phil.

    I wish you a wonderful Christmas, and all the best for the New Year - - - Richard

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same to you Richard - and happy hunting in 2015!

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.