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

Scarlet Columbine / Aquilegia canadensis

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

CultureAmerican

Dateca. 1934

MediumWatercolor and graphite

DimensionsOverall: 9 3/16 x 6 1/8 in. (23.4 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 11

InscribedIt is found from Nova Scotia to Florida. Loves to frequent the sunny slopes and ledges in open woods where the soil is spare and well-drained. April to June. The flowers are scarlet with yellow linings, large and showy with nodding heads hanging upside down. Was first introduced into England to decorate the gardens of Hampton Court during the reign of Charles I. Having been sent from the Virginia Colony by a young botanist to Tradescant, gardener and herbalist to the King. The name is derived from the Latin Columba—a dove. Dr. Prior likens its spurs to the heads of pigeons in a circle around a dish which was a favorite device of ancient artists. [edited transcription]

Credit LineMuseum collection

Object number41.45.22

Not on view

DescriptionPart of the Tidewater Wildflowers series, done as a WPA Project. Watercolor depicting Scarlet Columbine (Wild).

Label TextScarlet Columbine / Aquilegia canadensis, ca. 1934 Watercolor and graphite It is found from Nova Scotia to Florida. Loves to frequent the sunny slopes and ledges in open woods where the soil is spare and well-drained. April to June. The flowers are scarlet with yellow linings, large and showy with nodding heads hanging upside down. Was first introduced into England to decorate the gardens of Hampton Court during the reign of Charles I. Having been sent from the Virginia Colony by a young botanist to Tradescant, gardener and herbalist to the King. The name is derived from the Latin Columba—a dove. Dr. Prior likens its spurs to the heads of pigeons in a circle around a dish which was a favorite device of ancient artists. Museum collection 41.45.22 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.