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ALEXANDER MARSHAL (C. 1620-82)
Mourning iris, germander speedwell, broad-bodied chaser dragonfly, turban ranunculus (double form), flesh fly, honeywort, and bigroot cranesbill
c. 1650-82RCIN 924325
In addition to his love of flowers, Marshal was also a keen entomologist and owned a large collection of insect specimens. The dragonfly and flesh fly on this sheet are depicted in great detail and with evident knowledge of insect anatomy. The mourning iris was introduced to England around 1570 from western Asia.
