Berthe Hoola Van Nooten: Discover Her Stunning Botanical Illustrations
Berthe Hoola Van Nooten

Berthe Hoola Van Nooten: Discover Her Stunning Botanical Illustrations

Berthe Hoola Van Nooten was a Dutch artist and illustrator best known for her botanical artwork. Her detailed illustrations of flowers and plants were widely sought after by collectors and art lovers. Hoola Van Nooten's work is characterised by its precise attention to detail and soft and delicate colour palette. She is most well known for her illustrated collection, Fleurs, Fruits et Feuillages Choisis de l'Ile de Java, a set of 40 stunning illustrations depicting the botanical species in the Indonesian island of Java. Let's take a closer look at the life and work of this remarkable artist.
How Artists Use Flowers To Convey Meaning
Flower

How Artists Use Flowers To Convey Meaning

Flowers have inspired artists throughout history; from ancient Roman frescoes to Monet's water lilies, many of the world's most revered artists have decorated their works with colourful blooms. The botanical world has an endless variety of flowers – each with unique colour schemes, shapes and sizes that make them incredibly versatile subject matter for any artist. They are captivating symbols of life and beauty, and some flowers have additional symbolic meanings.
Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead): The Ofrenda's Significance
Death

Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead): The Ofrenda's Significance

Día de Los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, is a celebratory festival that remembers and honours friends and family members who have died. It is a national symbol in Mexico, taught in schools and celebrated with public holidays. Día de Los Muertos is an important celebration of Mexican indigenous culture and is listed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 
The Hidden Symbolism In Still Life Paintings
Art

The Hidden Symbolism In Still Life Paintings

Still life painting is a genre of art that features manufactured and natural inanimate objects, such as fruit, flowers, vases, bowls and cloth. While the inclusion of inanimate objects may seem simplistic, the placement and composition of these objects can be highly intricate and require great skill on the artist's part. The items included in the work and their order can hold deep symbolic meaning, allowing the viewer to enjoy the painting with a greater understanding of the artist's intention. This blog post will explore several well-known still-life paintings and share some hidden meanings behind the subjects
The Rainforest Ecosystem: What is the Climate and Structure of a Rainforest?
animals

The Rainforest Ecosystem: What is the Climate and Structure of a Rainforest?

The rainforest is one of the most fascinating ecosystems on Earth. It is a hot, moist environment home to an incredible diversity of plants and animals.The climate of a rainforest can vary depending on the location and the time of year. This blog post will focus on the rainforest ecosystem and explore some of its key components and exhibit several beautiful vintage illustrations of rainforest inhabitants and plants.
What is Mimicry in Plants?
Flower

What is Mimicry in Plants?

Mimicry in plants describes when a plant organism has evolved to resemble another organism, increasing its ability to survive and reproduce. These similarities can be physical or chemical. 
Five Beautiful and Deadly Poisonous Flowers
botanical

Five Beautiful and Deadly Poisonous Flowers

We've curated our top five list of poisonous flowers. Read on to learn about these beautiful and deadly specimens and enjoy their stunning illustrations. 
Ornamental Design: What are Cartouches, Roccoco Design and Flourishes?
Cartouche

Ornamental Design: What are Cartouches, Roccoco Design and Flourishes?

A cartouche is an intricate ornamental frame with a blank centre often flanked by scrolls. Cartouches commonly frame coats of arms, messages and paintings. 
The Origins of Botanical Illustration
Blog

The Origins of Botanical Illustration

Early herbals and pharmacopoeia of many cultures have included the depiction of plants. This was intended to assist the identification of a species, usually with some medicinal purpose. In this article, we'll learn about when the interest in botanical images became widespread, and the unique prespective botanical illustration provides.