Fragrant Water Lily

by Gordon Beningfield

Title

Fragrant Water Lily

Artist

Gordon Beningfield

Medium

Painting - Watercolor On Watercolor Paper

Description

Found in still waters of ponds, pools and lakes, fragrant water lily occurs throughout the eastern half of North America, with some isolated populations in the northwest. Unrelated to terrestrial lilies, water lilies are members of a completely different family -- Nymphaeaceae. Structural modifications like spongy, air-filled stems, and gelatin-coated leaves allow the plants to grow under water. Surrounded by their flat, shiny leaves, the creamy white petals and bright yellow stamens of the flowers add a picturesque touch to quiet backwaters. The fragrant blossoms, which open only in the morning, appear from June to September. Bees, beetles and aquatic insects pollinate the flowers, enticed by their pollen and sweet scent. A favorite food for wildlife, the plants are eaten by moose, beaver, muskrat and porcupine. Natives have used parts of the plant for food and medicine. It is named after Nymphe, a water nymph in Greek mythology.

Gordon Beningfield was born in London, but spent his childhood in rural Hertfordshire. He began his career as an ecclesiastical artist, and his commissions included engravings of seven glass Memorial Windows for the Brigade of Guards in the Guard's Chapel, London. Although he began to build a reputation for himself as a wildlife artist in the early 1960s, it wasn't until 1974 that a Look Stranger television program brought his work to the notice of a larger audience. After that, Beningfield was regularly in the public eye with periodic appearances on the BBC's In the Country program. The quality of his work, of course, steadily enhanced his reputation as one of Britain's leading painters of the countryside. His work first appeared in book form in 1978 with the publication of Beningfield's Butterflies, followed by Beningfield's Countryside. Many of his works have been displayed in international exhibits. His art was first immortalized on postage stamps in 1981 when his paintings of Britain's butterflies were chosen to be featured on that year's special British stamp issue. His appearances on television and publication of books made him a familiar artist in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.

Artwork Copyright © 1990 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB12816

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April 6th, 2022

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