Att. Ann Lee (1753-1790) - Black Lotus flower from St James Island

A rare and fascinating drawing attributed to the botanical illustrator Ann Lee (1753-1790). The Black Lotus flower has always fascinated people due to its mysterious and rare nature. The pollen and flower are both poisonous. The work indicates that the flower is from St James Island, this links to the largest island of Cape Verde that is called 'Santiago' and is a known location for the Black Lotus.
 
Ann Lee was a pupil of the artist and illustrator Sydney Parkinson. She painted many plants and also butterflies, birds and insects. A large collection of her works were donated to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in 1969. There are also a large collection of drawings by Lee held at Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter. New works by this artist rarely come onto the market.
 
Medium: watercolour on paper, inscribed 'Black Lotus from St. James Island Jacobea', 14.5 x 12cm, mounted. A previous mount was inscribed to the artist and suggested the work was from c.1770.
 
Provenance: private collection, Sussex.