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Boyanical illustration, the forte of Victorian naturalists, is undergoing
a renaissance. As species disappear, the need to document them has reminded
taxonomists that photographs cannot compete with the detail and scientific
accuracy of a skilled illustration.

Nor can they compete with its beauty, says Brinsley Burbidge, head of
information and exhibitions at Kew Gardens in London. Today’s illustrators
are just as good as their predecessors, he says. ‘Some of the finest botanical
illustrations ever are being done now.’

Kew has 13 illustrators constantly at work. Most are women. Pandora
Sellars, from Southampton, estimates there are now hundreds of illustrators
round the world. ‘It is lovely that there are so many coming through. When
I started it was a bit cloistered.’