Country Flowers of a Victorian Lady

by Fanny Robinson

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006019703X
• ISBN13: 9780060197032
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A beautiful book and informative too.

My daughter gave me this book for Mother's Day. She wanted it for herself but got it and knew I would love it. So I got her one she was so unselfish and gave what she liked to me. Knew it was a winner gift for her Birthday.

Excellent in Beauty and Historical Value

"Country Flowers of a Victorian Lady" is a wonderful book of botanical watercolors made as a personal album by Fanny Robinson in the latter half of the 1800's. Watercolor painting at that time was considered an acceptable and edifying pastime for women both young and old, and this grouping of flower portraits is superb. The comentaries on the facing pages offer quality insight into the hidden meanings of the flower groupings and educated speculation on the unknown aspects surrounding each picture. I highly recommend this book for flower lovers, watercolor painting enthusiasts, and students of victorian culture. I participate in historic role acting, and this is one book I will request be added to the library of training materials for the program.

Mixed Emotions~

"Exqusite" is one of the many words I could use to describe this book. The most beautiful collection of Victorian watercolors one will ever see. The images were taken directly from an album that was created by Fanny Robinson (1802-1872) entitled "The Book of Memory". The author wove a mystery throughout her album. Each gorgeous watercolor is accompanied by a handwritten poem, which leaves the reader musing as to whom, or what, the verses were written. Was it a lost love...? a faded youth....?She added a phrase on the front of her "Book of Memory" that is so very true "O, like a book of sport thou'lt read me o're ! but theres more in me than thou'lt understand". The Language of Flowers has never been more beautifully...or dramatically, illustrated. I will treasure this book, and a copy for my daughter is inevitible. I wish I could rate it more than five stars...