Study of a sow thistle
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Richard Redgrave drew a common plant called a sow thistle around 1850. It was just a careful pencil study, but it was made for designers, not just artists. Redgrave taught at the Government School of Design. He wanted plant shapes to inspire patterns. The thistle’s buds, leaves, and seeds were all mapped out. Check out more of Redgrave’s work next time you’re at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
