Sir Cedric Morris Florilegium
The Sir Cedric Morris Florilegium consists of 31 botanical watercolour paintings
Location
Gainsborough's House, 46 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2EU
Telephone
01787 372958- Next Event
- 20th September 10:00am - 6th July 5:00pm
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About this event
Dr Siân Dawson inspired the idea and coordinated the illustrated catalogue of paintings by leading botanical artists to illustrate a ‘Florilegium’ of the unique award-winning irises bred by Sir Cedric Morris (1889–1982), artist, gardener and iris breeder, based at Benton End, Hadleigh, Suffolk. Morris propagated the ‘Benton End’ bearded irises between 1933–60, which are now held in the National Plant Collection cultivated by Sarah Cook, GM, horticultural expert and former head gardener at Sissinghurst, Kent.
The Sir Cedric Morris Florilegium consists of 31 botanical watercolour paintings, meticulously observed and accurately recorded of ‘known and growing today’ cultivated varieties of bearded iris, that have been painted by the country’s leading Gold Medal winners from the Royal Horticultural Society.
The Finnis Scott Foundation Botanical Art Award is the most valuable award of its kind. Dr Dawson was delighted to receive such a prestigious award, considered the highest accolade on behalf of all the artists, who so graciously donated their paintings to be retained by Gainsborough’s House and considered the finest florilegium of iris paintings worldwide. The Gainsborough’s House Trustees accepted the collection as a gift to be held in perpetuity alongside Sir Cedric Morris’ private art collection.
This exhibition is the first time the Sir Cedric Morris Florilegium complete collection has been exhibited in its entirety. It will be available with Revealing Nature: The Art of Cedric Morris and Arthur Lett-Haines at Gainsborough’s House from 6 July – 3 November 2024.
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About the Venue
Gainsborough’s House is the national centre for Thomas Gainsborough and it holds the most comprehensive collection of his work in a single setting. A varied programme of temporary exhibitions is also on show throughout the year. Visitor’s gift shop, café and garden are also available as part of the museum experience.
Gainsborough’s House is the childhood home of Thomas Gainsborough RA (1727–1788). Today, the permanent collection of Gainsborough's House encompasses the whole career of Thomas Gainsborough, from early portraits and landscapes painted in Suffolk during the 1750s, to later works from his Bath and London periods of the 1760s, 70s and 80s. The collection of works on paper includes drawings by Gainsborough and his contemporaries, as well as prints by or after Gainsborough and other eighteenth-century artists.
In 2019, Gainsborough’s House commenced a £10m building project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. On 21 November 2022, the museum re-opened to the public after a transformational refurbishment; introducing 3 new exhibition spaces to accompany the original Grade I listed building. The museum is now the largest gallery in Suffolk.
The visitor entrance to Gainsborough’s House is on Weavers Lane and leads into the main gallery. Visitors can view the family house, the new gallery spaces, examples of Gainsborough’s work, alongside specialist exhibitions and the famed, crinkle-crinkle walled garden and Mulberry Tree dating to the early 1600s. The space also has The Watering Place café serving coffees, pastries and light lunches.
For more information about tickets, access or events; please see our website. Visit today! We are open every day from 10:00am – 17:00pm.
