BOTANICAL ART & ARTISTS
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About Arthur Harry Church
- botanist and botanical illustrator (1865-1937)

Arthur Harry Church (1865-1937) was a botanist
​who focused on the morphology and structure of plants
and began to illustrate to demonstrate his findings.
He has since earned a reputation as a scientific botanical illustrator of note.

Biography - education and employment
​

Born 24th March 1865 in Plymouth, Devon.

Education and Academic Employment: he studied Botany at University College, Aberystwyth and graduated with an (external) first class degree from London University (in 1891). This enabled him to win science scholarship to Jesus College at Oxford University.  

He came up to Oxford in 1891 and spent the rest of his life participating in scholarship and the academic life of Oxford. 
  • In 1894 he graduated with a first class degree from Oxford University.
  • In the same year he was appointed Demonstrator in Botany and took the London Degree of D.Sc.
  • 1908-1912: Research Fellow at Jesus College
  • From 1908 to 1930 when he retired he held the title of Lecturer in Botany with the University.
  • 1921: he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society
Picture
Viola altaica - an illustration of a dissection - from 'Types of Floral Mechanism' by Arthur Harry Church

His approach to botany and illustration
​

'one of the most ablest and original botanists of his time'
Church focused on morphology and the structure of plants. His drawings of the morphology of flowers and plants are considered to be some of the finest in the UK. 

He became very knowledgeable about how flowers systems worked - but never travelled as other botanists did to see plants in their natural habitats.

Church's particular skill was in developing techniques for examination of flowers and plants in ways which revealed all their inner structures while leaving all the parts with crisp sharp edges in his illustrations of cross-sections and diagrams.

He was also meticulous in the way he painted and developed techniques which allowed him to maintain precision in his illustrations as well as his dissections. 
Picture
Nerium Oleander - an illustration of a dissection - from 'Types of Floral Mechanism' by Arthur Harry Church

Publications
​

In 1904 he published On the relation of phyllotaxis to mechanical law which includes:
  • Part 1: Construction by Orthagonal Trajectories - about how curves intersect
  • Part 2: Asymmetrical and Symmetrical Phylotaxis (i.e. about the arrangement of leaves on the plant stem)
  • Part 3: Secondary Growth Phenomena

In 1908, he published Part 1 of Types of Floral Mechanism (Clarendon Press 1908) which was intended to be the first volume of an account of "The Hundred Best Flowers" as a way of providing a general explanation of floral morphology. It comprises large coloured and uncoloured illustrations of 12 different types of flowers and associated text. This first part deals with the flowering plants of winter and early spring (January to April). It was intended that there would be three more parts covering the later months of the year.

However his insistence on the quality of the reproduction of the illustrations - and associated costs - meant that no further volumes were published.
His "Botanical Memoirs" contained most of what he wanted to say about plants in print. These were essentially summaries of the various materials he used in lectures. They were issued in 15 volumes by Oxford University Press between 1919 and 1925.

He married and had three daughters - each of which had the name of a plant in flower at the time of her birth as her second name.

He died in Oxford on 24th April 1937 aged 72.  His obituary goes some way to explain why he developed the ideas he had and why his work was neglected for a long time. It also explains in detail the history behind each of his publications and their timing.
He was an old fashioned nineteenth century botanist of supreme excellence
Obituary

The Arthur Harry Church Drawings Collection
​

The Arthur Harry Church Drawings Collection is the largest collection of the work of Arthur Harry Church and includes 773 original watercolour drawings.

They
are part of the Permanent Collection of  the Natural History Museum.

​The original intention was that they would be used - with associated text - in the remaining volumes of his book on floral mechanisms..

However his portfolio of botanical illustrations of the internal structures and morphology of flowers lay unnoticed in the Museum of Natural History for several decades prior to the publication of this book by Professor David Mabberly in 2000.
Picture
Pyrus communis - an illustration of a dissection - from 'Types of Floral Mechanism' by Arthur Harry Church
VIEW
  • The Structure of a Flower - an EXCELLENT page of dissection images by Arthur Harry Chruch revealing the structure and anatomy of flowers - which can be viewed online - on the website of the Natural History Museum
  • eight pen and ink drawings of Algae on card (1918) by Church, A. H. (Arthur Harry), 1865-1937, artist. | Natural History Museum
Arthur Harry Church: The Anatomy of Flowers
by A.H. Church and David J. Mabberley
Most of the drawings in this volume remained unpublished while Church was alive and are published here for the first time; they demonstrate the modernity of his technique and style....
The reproduction of images is absolutely superb and most are a full page. Colour reproduction and definition is excellent.
Picture
My second hand copy of this book
Picture
The back cover of the book
This stunning monograph uses previously unpublished material from the 773 drawings by Church in the permanent collection of the Library of the Natural History Museum to reveal:
  • the fascinating story of Church's life and work and
  • the images he created in his lifetime
  • discussed in the context of his scientific work and the biological science of his era

The author, Professor David Mabberley AM is a British-born botanist, educator and writer who has held botanical appointments at universities around the world and is renowned for his books about botanical artists. He's currently Emeritus Professor at the University of Leiden. In 2008 he became the Keeper of the Herbarium, Library, Art and Archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Merrell Publishers Ltd;
​1st Edition edition (20 Sept. 2000)

Rated an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on
  • 7 customer review (UK); and
  • 7 customer reviews (USA) 

BUY THIS BOOK
The price of this book has increased enormously since I bought my copy. ​It's unlikely to decrease but you might get lucky!
Be prepared to accept less than perfect book covers. ​I'd very much RECOMMEND checking if you can view the contents before you get a copy - through a reputable library or a good friend. You're very unlikely to get a loan copy to take home!!
Arthur Harry Church: The Anatomy of Flowers from Amazon UK
Arthur Harry Church:The Anatomy of Flowers from Amazon.com
Picture
Second hand copies - like mine - often come with some discolouration of the outer margins - but this had no impact on the images in the book.
Wonderful book of a botanical artist who is largely unknown. Plates are beautifully reproduced on good quality paper. Shame it is out of print.

Reference
​

READ ONLINE - Botanical Memoirs Series
  • On the relation of phyllotaxis to mechanical law (1904) by A.H. Church MA | (via Biodiversity Heritage Library | Published London - Williams & Norgate
  • Types of floral mechanism; a selection of diagrams and descriptions of common flowers arranged as an introduction to the systematic study of angiosperms (1908) by Church, A. H. (Arthur Harry), 1865-1937 | via Internet Archive
  • Elementary notes on structural botany (1919) by A.H. Church MA | (via Biodiversity Heritage Library
  • Elementary notes on the reproduction of angiosperms. (1919) by A.H. Church MA | (via Biodiversity Heritage Library
  • Elementary notes on conifers (1920) by A.H. Church MA | (via Biodiversity Heritage Library
  • Introduction to the plant-life of the Oxford district  (1922-25) by A.H. Church MA | (via Biodiversity Heritage Library | Published London, Milford
Other online references:
  • Arthur Harry Church (1865-1937) Botanist and Illustrator
    This essay was written by Dianne Sutherland SBA as an assignment for her Diploma Course in Botanial Illustration with the Society of Botanical Artists.
  • Arthur Harry Church - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Arthur Harry Church (28 March 1865 - 24 April 1937) was a British botanist and a fine illustrator
  • Arthur Harry Church | Natural History Museum
  • Arthur Harry Church - a photographic portrait | National Portrait Gallery
  • Arthur Harry Church. 1865-1937 - A. G. Tansley | Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society | Vol. 2, No. 7 (Jan., 1939), pp. 432-443
  • Beauty in scientific illustration: the paintings of Arthur Harry Church | Sonoran Desert Florilegium Program


More Past Masters of Botanical Art & Illustration
​

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  • Famous Asian Botanical Artists ​600-1900
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READ MORE about The Best Books about Botanical Art History, Arists and Illustrators
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      • The Art of Botanical Illustration (Blunt)
      • Book Review: Treasures of Botanical Art
    • Herbals
    • Florilegia and Flora
    • Patrons of Botanical Art >
      • About Leonhart Fuchs
      • About Basilius Besler
    • Past Masters - Botanical Art and Illustration >
      • About Maria Sibylla Merian
      • About Elizabeth Blackwell
      • About Georg Dionysius Ehret
      • About Franz Bauer
      • About Sydney Parkinson
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      • About Marianne North
    • Famous Asian Botanical Artists (600-1900)
    • 20th & 21st Century Botanical Artists >
      • About Arthur Harry Church
      • About Margaret Mee
      • About Mary Grierson
      • About Raymond Booth
      • About Rory McEwen
      • About Pandora Sellars
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    • Calls for Entries - OPEN exhibitions
    • Online Exhibitions >
      • ARCHIVE: Online Botanical Art Exhibitions
    • RHS Botanical Art & Photography Shows >
      • ARCHIVE RHS Botanical Art Shows 2007-2021
      • Exhibit Titles at RHS Botanical Art Shows
      • RHS Portfolio Photography (Botanical / Horticultural)
    • Hunt International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration
    • UK >
      • Permanent Collections (UK)
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions at Major UK Galleries & Museums >
        • ARCHIVE: Major Gallery Exhibitions
        • ARCHIVE: Shirley Sherwood Gallery Exhibitions
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions in England and Wales >
        • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in the UK
        • ARCHIVE: Reviews of Annual Exhibitions by the Society of Botanical Artists
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    • Africa
    • ARCHIVE: World Wide Exhibition of Botanical Art 2018
  • Education
    • Best Botanical Art Instruction Books >
      • Best Instruction Books by Botanical Art Societies >
        • The Art of Botanical Painting - review
        • The Botanical Palette - review
        • Botanical Sketchbook - review
      • Best Instruction Books about Botanical Illustration >
        • Botanical Illustration - Books by Bobbi Angell
        • Botanical Illustration (Oxley) - review
      • Best Instruction Books by top Artists / Teachers >
        • Books By Billy Showell
        • Books - the Eden Project
      • Best Botanical Drawing Instruction Books (Pencils) >
        • Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils - review
      • e-Booklets / digital guides
      • NEW Books about Botanical Art & Illustration (2020)
      • NEW Books about Botanical Art & Illustration (2019)
      • NEW Books about Botanical Art & Illustration (2018)
    • Tips and Techniques >
      • Tips from RHS Gold Medal Winners
      • Preparation and set-up
      • Botanical Sketching and Sketchbooks
      • Design and composition
      • Colour
      • Pen and Ink
      • How to draw and paint trees and leaves
    • Botanical Art Video Tips >
      • Video Tips: Watercolour Painting
      • Video Tips Coloured Pencils
      • Video Tips: Pencil drawing
      • Video Tips: Painting Flowers
      • Video Tips: Painting Leaves & Trees
    • Online Botanical Art Instruction >
      • CHECKLIST: FAQS about Online Learning
      • ONLINE TIMELINE
    • International Directory: Botanical Art Teachers
    • International Directory of Botanical Art Courses >
      • UK: Botanical Art Courses
      • North America: Botanical Art Courses
      • Europe: Botanical Art Courses & Holidays
      • Australasia: Botanical Art Courses
    • Diplomas and Certificates >
      • SBA Diploma Assignments
    • Distance Learning Courses
    • Talks, Lectures & Tours
    • Botanical Education on Facebook
    • Fellowships, Scholarships, Bursaries and Residencies
  • Materials
    • Paper
    • Vellum
  • Groups
    • National & Regional Botanical Art Societies
    • Florilegium Societies & Other Groups
    • Botanical Art Groups on Facebook
  • Botany
    • Why botany matters to artists
    • Botany Books for artists >
      • Botany for the Artist (Simblet)
      • The Art of Plant Evolution
      • The Concise British Flora in Colour (1965)
    • Scientific botanical illustration
    • Plant Forms and Anatomy
    • Plant Evolution and Taxonomy
    • Plant Names and Botanical Latin
    • Botanical Dictionaries
    • How to Identify Plants
    • Recording a Plant / Sketchbooks >
      • Plant Pressing for your own Herbarium
    • Botanic Gardens & Herbaria >
      • Global and National Networks
      • Herbaria, Seed Banks and Fungaria
      • Botanic Gardens in the UK >
        • Old Botanic & Physic Gardens in London
      • Botanic Gardens in Ireland
      • Botanic Gardens in Europe
      • Botanic Gardens in the USA
      • Botanic Gardens in Canada
      • Botanic Gardens in Asia
      • Botanic Gardens in Australia
    • Blogs about Plants and Flowers
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