The Iris Florilegium of Sir Cedric Morris

The Iris Florilegium of Cedric Morris consists of 30 botanical watercolour paintings, painted by the United Kingdoms leading gold medal award artists from the Royal Horticultural Society who meticulously observed and accurately recorded 'known and growing today' cultivated varieties of bearded iris grown at Benton End, Hadleigh between 1940-1955.

'The Iris Florilegium of Sir Cedric Morris' is currently exhibited at Gainsborough's House alongside with the main exhibition 'Revealing Nature: The Art of Cedric Morris & Lett-Haines'.

The purpose of the collection was to show botanical paintings as an art discipline in its own right, and the part played by Florilegium in 'glorifying' a plant; to show the value of botanical painting in providing an accurate record of form and colour cultivars - watercolour paintings are the most reliable material source for plant cultivar identification, but the cost of production means they are rarely commissioned. In addition, the collection will ensure a botanical record is available to a wide range of people both nationally and internationally, for the purposes of study, education and enjoyment.

'I sincerely trust this lasting legacy will be considered as recognition that is rightly deserved, and immortalise the reputation of Sir Cedric Morris as a celebrated leading British artist, gardener and renowned iris breeder. This exhibition at the Gainsborough's House Museum is the first time The Iris Florilegium of Sir Cedric Morris has been exhibited in its entirety.' - Dr Sian Dawson

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