Amazing Rare Things
The art of natural history in the age of discovery
ALEXANDER MARSHAL (C. 1620-82)
Seville orange, purple crocuses, grass snake and goat moth caterpillar
c. 1650-82RCIN 924270
A watercolour depicting a citrus aurantium with dark leaves, buds green and ripe fruit, two Crocus vernus showing leaves and flowers, a snake and a caterpillar.
The Seville orange was first grown in England in the late sixteenth century. Specially constructed orangeries, providing shelter and warmth for the trees in winter, began to be developed in the early seventeenth century.