Spring scenes in our collections

NARCISSUS 'THE INCOMPARABLE DAFFODIL' by Georg Ehret, 1753. Botanical illustration situated in Gallery IV (the Botanical Gallery) at Dudmaston, Shropshire. — ‘Narcissus, The Incomparable Daffodil’ by Georg Dionysius Ehret, 1753, at Dudmaston, Shropshire | © National Trust Images/John Hammond

Spring's promise of new beginnings has been an inspiration to artists and designers for centuries. You can see its influence across the arts, from Renaissance craftsmen to botanical artists and designers of the Arts and Crafts movement. See spring through some of its most evocative depictions in the collections and objects we care for.

Spring blossom

A dark brown lacquered Japanese cabinet, circa1675–1700, decorated with small flowers raised on a giltwood stand — A lacquered Japanned Cabinet on a gilt frame, circa 1675–1700 at Osterley Park and House, London | © National Trust Images/John Hammond

Lacquer cabinet at Osterley Park, London

Made in Japan in the late 17th century, this cabinet is elaborately decorated with flower and foliage motifs. The less elaborately decorated interiors of the doors show a pattern of cherry blossoms floating on water. This is a symbol of the evanescence of youth and beauty in Japanese culture, but this meaning may have been lost on its Western buyers.

Artwork of people walking along a lake under blossoming trees — Cherry blossom woodblock print by Hiroshige (d.1858) at Cragside, Northumberland | © National Trust Images/Derrick E. Witty

Woodblock print at Cragside, Northumberland

The appearance of ‘sakura’, or cherry blossom, has been celebrated in Japan for centuries. Beneath flowering trees at the Shinobazu Pond in Edo (present-day Tokyo), family and friends gather to admire the spring spectacle. This is a custom known as ‘hanami’, or flower viewing.

A Chinese Imari saucer for a tea bowl 1700–1720, a Tatton Park — A Chinese Imari saucer for a tea bowl 1700–1720, at Tatton Park in Cheshire | © Tatton Park/Cheshire East Council/Peter Spooner

A Canton enamel barber’s bowl at Tatton Park, Cheshire

Enamel shaving bowls were made in Canton (also known as Guangzhou), China, in the 18th century for export to Europe. Enamelling involves fusing ground glass to metal in a kiln, producing a glossy finish. The painted decoration includes cherry blossoms, which reflects a well-established Chinese tradition of bird-and-flower paintings.

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Spring flora

Spring, one of four stained glass panels in the inglenook fireplace in the Dining Room at Cragside, designed by William Morris, dated 1873 | © National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel

Stained glass window at Cragside, Northumberland

This stained glass panel depicts a young woman surrounded by spring flowers. It’s one of a series of small panels of the four seasons, designed by William Morris for the inglenook fireplace at Cragside. Morris wanted to capture the spirit of medieval glass while keeping a focus on secular subjects.

Daffodil painting at Dudmaston, Shropshire

Georg Dionysius Ehret was a highly influential botanical artist. He was born in Germany in 1708, and early in his career he worked as a gardener, which might explain his great affinity for plants. He painted this detailed watercolour of two double daffodils in 1753.

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Spring fauna

Detail from the painted animal mural in the Night Nursery at Wightwick Manor and Gardens, West Midlands | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

A mother hen at Wightwick Manor, West Midlands

This charming painted paper frieze of a hen and her chicks by Cecil Aldin appears on the wall of the nursery at Wightwick Manor. A paper frieze is a decorated or ornamental band that runs around the perimeter of a room.

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Spring insects

Oil painting on canvas, Elizabeth Craven, Lady Powis (1600-1662), English School, early 17th century, at Powis Castle, Wales — Elizabeth Craven, Lady Powis (1600–1662) at Powis Castle, Wales | © National Trust Images/John Hammond

Embroidered dress at Powis Castle, Wales

In this painting, Elizabeth Craven, Lady Powis, wears a richly embroidered dress that mixes motifs taken from the natural world, including butterflies flitting between roses. Elizabethan textiles often included designs based upon images found in illustrated natural history books.

Detail of centre oval on rectangular pietra dura table top depicting rare butterflies, in the Drawing Room at The Argory, County Armagh, Northern Ireland — Detail of centre oval on rectangular pietra dura table top depicting rare butterflies, in the Drawing Room at The Argory | © National Trust Images/Derrick E. Witty

Pietra dura table at The Argory, County Armagh

Butterflies, dragonflies and moths are skilfully inlaid on the table from The Argory. It's decorated using pietra dura, (literally ‘hard stones’), where semi-precious materials such as marble, lapis lazuli, agate and jasper are carved into images. The technique has been practised for centuries and flourished in Florence during the Renaissance.

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Two historical garments hanging on mannequins

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Spring scenes in our collections

Spring blossom

Lacquer cabinet at Osterley Park, London

Woodblock print at Cragside, Northumberland

A Canton enamel barber’s bowl at Tatton Park, Cheshire

Spring flora

Stained glass window at Cragside, Northumberland

Daffodil painting at Dudmaston, Shropshire

Spring fauna

A mother hen at Wightwick Manor, West Midlands

St Agnes and the lamb at Standen House and Garden, Sussex

Spring insects

Embroidered dress at Powis Castle, Wales

Pietra dura table at The Argory, County Armagh

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