New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.

Wild Geranium or Crane’s Bill / Geranium maculatum

Artist Elizabeth (Bessie) Murray Tyler (American, 1892 - 1980)

CultureAmerican

Dateca. 1934

MediumWatercolor and graphite

DimensionsOverall: 9 3/8 x 6 1/8 in. (23.9 x 15.5 cm)
Overall, Mat: 19 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (48.9 x 36.2 cm)

SignedSigned lower right; dated May 12.

InscribedThe large, showy rose-purple flowers enliven the low, shaded parts of moist open woods from April to July. Ranging from Newfoundland to Georgia. The color varies according to temperature. The fruit is very curious, and when it ripens it splits suddenly, sending the seeds in various directions. The shape of this curious pistil created the name of crane’s bill. Geranium is derived from the Greek for crane. [edited transcription]

Credit LineMuseum collection

Object number41.45.54

Not on view

DescriptionPart of the Tidewater Wildflowers series, done as a WPA Project. Watercolor depicting Wild or Cranes Bill Geranium.

Label TextWild Geranium or Crane’s Bill / Geranium maculatum, ca. 1934 Watercolor and graphite The large, showy rose-purple flowers enliven the low, shaded parts of moist open woods from April to July. Ranging from Newfoundland to Georgia. The color varies according to temperature. The fruit is very curious, and when it ripens it splits suddenly, sending the seeds in various directions. The shape of this curious pistil created the name of crane’s bill. Geranium is derived from the Greek for crane. Museum collection 41.45.54 Exhibition HistoryShown at June 1970 meeting of the Chevy Chase, Maryland, Garden Club by (Mrs. John A.) Virginia Tyler Webster Horticulture Chairman. "Tidewater Wildflowers: Watercolors by Bessie Tyler," Willoughby-Baylor House, Norfolk, VA, April 16, 2015 - March 6, 2016.