Rue Anemone

by Gordon Beningfield

Title

Rue Anemone

Artist

Gordon Beningfield

Medium

Painting - Watercolor On Watercolor Paper

Description

A dainty flower of eastern woodlands, rue anemone grows in dry, open woods and slopes. The white or pinkish flowers -- which bloom from March to June -- arise from a pair or whorl of roundish leaflets. Longer-lasting than many of the early spring flowers, the blossoms are composed of colored sepals, rather than petals, with many stamens and pistils. The leaves of rue anemone closely resemble those of another member of the buttercup family called meadow rue. The similarity in their scientific names reflects those common characteristics. Rue anemone is the only representative of its genus. Both Native Americans and pioneers harvested the clusters of roots or tubers -- similar to wild potatoes -- for food. Such a practice should not be encouraged today, however, since dividing the roots harms the plant and the removal of any plants depletes the population.

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 XB12766

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April 5th, 2022

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