''How the Lavender Came to Smell of Paradise''

Illustration by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale

 

 

This lovely illustration from Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale was published in the 1924 Christmas Edition of The London

Illustrated News.

 

It depicts the Blessed Virgin draping the infant Christ's clothes over the perfume Lavender bush.

 

The introduction to the legend provided in The London Illustrated News follows:

 

Lavenders, the cool, scented herb, whose perfume conjures up visions of peace and suggests the charm of an old-world sheltered life, is a summer spice associated in legend with the Blessed Virgin. It was, runs the tale, a scentless bush until the Mother of Our Lord dried His swaddling clothes upon its misty blue spikes. In honour

of Him the perfume which "breathes of Paradise" came as a gift to the Lavender, and it has retained the heavenly smell until this day.

 

 

Complete image

Single Greeting Card (with matching Envelope)

Code: EFB HLCSP SGC
Price: US$5.00

Detail (for reference)
 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: EFB HLCSP 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Our Greeting Cards

 

When presented on Greeting Cards, this image is prepared as a tipped-on plate - in hommage to the hand-crafted

approach typical of prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century. Each card is

hand-finished, with the image presented on Ivory card stock with an accompanying envelope. On the rear of each

card we also present some information about Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale and this wonderful illustration. We have

left the interior of the cards blank so that you may write your own personal message.

 

Our large format reproductions

 

Each of our large format reproductions are prepared with archival quality materials and processes to ensure many years

of enjoyment. In addition, our reproductions are accompanied by explanatory material relating to this wonderful illustration and Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale.

 

How to purchase

 

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