@brittarnhild
Some years ago I visited Kew Gardens with a main goal to see the Marianne North Pavillion, with the huge collection of Marianne North´s floral paintings. At that time the pavillion was closed due to renovation.
Last month I was in Kew Garden again, and this time luck was on my side.
The pavillion was open......and I was the only visitor.
Six years ago I was in India, visiting my Indian mother Carolyn. One of the many things Carolyn and I share is a love for travel litterature, and on this visit I was introduced to Marianne North through the book A Vision of Eden. North was a remarkable Victorian traveller and floral painter, and she spent most of her adult life travelling the world with paintbrush and journal. When I came home from India I bought the book and have since then read it several times. And I have followed her steps on Tenerife, enjoying the same flowers and plants as she did.
The collection of paintings in the Marianne North Pavillion is extraordinaire. If I remember correctly the pavillion has more than 800 paintings, covering huge walls from floor to roof.
I sat down on one of the benches and dreamed myself around the world together with Marianne. I was not actually allowed to take photos, but somehow my cell phone suddenly was in my right hand, seeking out some of the floral art all by himself........you see, cell phones can do that!
Wouldn´t it be fun to write "The Marianne North Travel Chest Tale" :-)
I got a book from amazon.co.uk in the mail today:
Marianne North. A Very Intrepid Painter
by Michelle Payne.
Sorry, I must stop this blog post as a book is calling my name......loud!
