Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Art Historical Context

Mary Vaux Walcott'sBloodroot (Sanguaria canadensis)*, in 1917, the delicate beauty of this native North American wildflower, known for its white petals and red root sap that inspired its name. As part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—gifted directly by the artist—this painting exemplifies early 20th-century botanical, blending scientific precision with artistic elegance. Bloodroot, or *Sanguinaria canad*, blooms briefly in spring woodlands, and Walcott's work preserves its ephemeral charm for museum visitors. Walcott, a pioneering artist and naturalist, created this piece d...