Gentian (Gentiana newberri)

Art Historical Context

Mary Vaux Walcott’s 1938 painting *Gentian (Gentiana newberri)* captures the delicate structure and vibrant hues of this alpine wildflower with quiet precision. Created as a gift to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the work reflects the artist’s deep engagement with North American flora at a time when botanical studies were gaining renewed appreciation in both scientific and artistic circles. As a painting, the piece bridges fine art and natural history documentation. Its presence in the Smithsonian collection underscores the museum’s commitment to preserving American artists who recorded...