Botanical Illustration: a genre of art that endeavours faithfully to depict and represent the form, colour and detail of a plant. Abiding by this definition, the RHS Lindley Library has secured approximately 30,000 splendid illustrations of buds, fruit, flowers and leaves since they first started commissioning artists in 1806. The Royal Horticultural Society: Botanical Illustration - Gold Medal Winners represents a cross-section of recent gold medallists from around the world. The RHS only award their gold medal to the most outstanding exhibitions, encouraging the international artistic community to perform to the highest standard. This gold medal is a highly-coveted testament to an artist's abilities, and the illustrations gathered in these pages demonstrate great attention to detail, masterful colour work and outstanding technical skill. Insightful commentary on the artists' creative process accompanies each picture. The perfect book for the lover of horticulture, as well as an excellent reference both for botanists and aspiring artists, this collection also includes an introductory essay that delves into the history of the RHS. AUTHOR: Charlotte Brooks is the Art Curator at the RHS Lindley Library in London, where she has worked with the botanical art collection for 15 years. She has published a number of short articles on aspects of the collection and has an ongoing research interests into nineteenth century Anglo-Chinese botanical art. Charlotte also serves as Secretary to the RHS Botanical Art Judging Panel, which sees contemporary artists from all over the world exhibit their work. SELLING POINTS: . Presents botanical studies by sixty gold medal winning artists, from the Lindley Collections at the Royal Horticultural Society, the country's leading gardening charity . A historical essay explores the long-standing relationship between artists and the RHS . Introduces each medallist with a short biography and discussion of their winning composition . Features a diverse range of artists from across the globe 133 colour, 7 b/w illustrations