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New Scientist recommends Now You See Us at the Tate Britain

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

By Tim Boddy

5 June 2024

The Cannon Hall Muscat Grape. Plate 24. Watercolour on paper. Signed lower left Mrs Withers Delt. Painter to Her Majesty. 44.4 cm. x 35.2 cm., slotted onto page. c.1825.

Augusta Innes Withers/RHS Lindley Collections

I have recently had a double helping of botanical culture, starting with a terrific exhibition at Tate Britain, London. Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain 1520-1920 puts a spotlight on female artists, many of whom have been unfairly forgotten, and challenges stereotypes.

Within the exhibition there is a section on flowers, including Mary Delany’s collages. Naturalist Joseph Banks said that her works were the only botanical images from which he could reliably identify a plant species.

Other highlights include detailed watercolour paintings of fruit by Augusta Innes Withers. I don’t think I’ve seen a better example of light…

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