RHS Botanical Illustration: The Gold Medal Winners, by Charlotte Brooks
- elanorwexler
- 21 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Botanical art has seen a resurgence of popularity over the past 20 years, as a wealth of talent continues to emerge across the globe. The very best botanical artists translate their close observation into informative, scientifically accurate and beautiful pictures. These works stand proud as showcases for both the plant and the artist.
The RHS has long held flower shows at which paintings have been judged. An RHS Gold medal is highly prestigious, and botanical artists may strive for years to develop the requisite skills to achieve it. The illustrations gathered in these pages demonstrate great attention to detail, masterful colour work and outstanding technical skill.
This book represents a cross-section of recent RHS medallists from around the world. Insightful commentary on the artists’ creative process accompanies each picture and the introductory essay presents a fascinating overview of the RHS Lindley Library. This is the perfect book for the art lover and horticulturist alike, as well as an excellent reference for botanists and aspiring artists.
Article by: Emma van Klaveren, botanical artist and illustrator, ABA Team Leader for the Education Committee and Committee member
I first met Charlotte when she kindly showed me a selection of botanical artworks held at the Lindley Library at RHS HQ, London. I had just completed my Diploma at The Chelsea School of Botanical Art. With a degree in the History of Art, I was looking for botanical art history context for this genre. She was so generous with her time and information in the Viewing Room. I particularly remember some Redouté Rosa artworks from Marie-Antoinette’s Versailles collection, surrounded by gilt-edged mount card. Magic; say no more; I was hooked. Now I am an annual visitor to the RHS Botanical Art & Photography Show at The Saatchi Gallery, expertly curated by Charlotte and her team - the ‘Oscars’ of the botanical art world and always a highlight of my year. The best of the best from all over the world displaying the most exquisite botanical artwork.
In the first edition of this book (2019) Charlotte begins with a fascinating essay about the history of the Lindley Collections, and its relationship with the RHS who were “working closely with artists for research, documentation and publication, in a practice that is only slightly varied today.”
She also explains the rise in popularity of this genre, particularly in the last 25 years, and how it has come to be judged with RHS medals. (Good to know that even William Hooker’s paintings were subject to RHS judging). An explanation of what a Royal Signature is, the Reeves Collection, and the Miscellaneous works, follows.
Also included are the Lindley Library and the RHS’ development in the 20th century alongside their judging of botanical art which encouraged contemporary works to be added to the Collections. After this historical section come 60 magnificent contemporary artists, each one given a double page spread (or significantly more if you are Gillian Barlow!), with colour plates, and a biography. Charlotte also includes a helpful and historical list of RHS Gold Medal Winners afterwards.
When the updated second edition came out last year with the same cover of Annie Hughes’ luscious citrus illustration on the front and Jean Emmons’ Iris on the back, I was curious to know how it differed. The introductory essay has been updated including details such as the move to the Saatchi Gallery. I particularly appreciated the descriptions of the medals and awards this time, including The Veitch Medal (VMM) and The Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH). The main section of the book now includes all new gold medal winners from 2019 to 2024, 73 in total this time, with more wonderful illustrations and information about this elite group.
Left: Tillandsia xerographica, 2024. Pen-and-ink stipple drawing on paper by Hyunjin Cho,
Right: Fraxinus excelsior (Ash tree), 2020. Watercolour on paper by Pauleen Trim. Images courtesy of publisher.
I was delighted when Charlotte published the first version of her book in 2019 and the updated second edition in 2025 is even more worth investing in. Both are lavish tomes full of colour plant portraits and fascinating information to learn from. I use them constantly as inspiration and as a reference source for the all-time greats of the botanical art world, past and present, giving them an enduring platform in book form. Interestingly they are all female artists nowadays, how times have changed!
Author Biography:
Charlotte Brooks is the Art Curator at The RHS Lindley Library in London. She has worked with the Society’s botanical artworks for over 20 years; caring for, documenting, researching and developing this world-renowned collection. As a Secretary to the RHS Botanical Art Judging Panel, she supports a lively, international community of practising artists to exhibit their work and to be judged for medal awards at RHS shows. A contributor to the Occasional Papers from the RHS Lindley Library, she has written various short articles on aspects of the Lindley Collections and maintains a special research interest into 19th century Anglo-Chinese botanical paintings. She is Honorary President of The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society and was the first Chair of Trustees for The Association of Botanical Artists (ABA).
To purchase this book:
Published by ACC Art Books - versions published in 2025 and 2019.
Available online and in bookshops