Exhibition: Fungi - Watercolours by Katharine Nicholson

Due to demand this exhibition has been extended, and will re-open from 6 November until 18 November.

This exhibition celebrates the diversity of fungi as seen through the eyes of amateur painter and naturalist Lady Katharine Nicholson (1912-1972), who observed the fungi in and around homes she shared with her husband Sir Godfrey Nicholson BT (1901-1991) and family in Berkshire. Most of the paintings on display were painted between 1936 and 1950.

Working solely with watercolours, often in combination with pen and ink, Katharine Nicholson was taught, at one point, by Beatrix Potter’s teacher. Beatrix Potter was herself a keen mycologist who painted mushrooms and toadstools, so it is likely that Potter’s paintings were an inspiration to Katharine.

Katherine’s watercolours will be on display in the Herbarium Room at the Botanic Garden.