Samuel Curtis Art

Samuel Curtis (Born in August 1779) was born in Walworth, Surrey. He was the 7th child of James Curtis who was an apothecary and surgeon. They lived in Alton, Hampshire, where there’s today a museum dedicated to the Curtis family. Samuel married Sarah in October 1801 at Newington church, London. Sarah was the daughter of his first cousin, William Curtis, the founder of The Botanical Magazine. In the same year, Curtis bought a nursery garden which was highly valued at Walworth. In these early years, Curtis gained horticultural inspiration and much knowledge from his brother-in-law James and his cousin William. Samuel published a series of botanical lectures during his time at the Walworth nursery which had been given to the Horticultural Society by his cousin William just before his death. In 1806, Curtis published his first work in his own name. It was a beautiful botanical book, The Beauties of Flora, which was illustrated with colored full-size plates by Clara Maria Pope and Thomas Baxter, the two prominent artists of the day. In 1808, Curtis was presented with a 'Medal of Honor' by the Society of Arts for having planted the most extensive orchard in the United Kingdom. This honor was also for his communications on horticultural matters to the Society. He lived at Glazenwood until 1845 then moved to London for a commission to create the largest open space in London - The Victoria Park, Bethnal Green. His art continues to excite many collectors, especially the framed Samuel Curtis art.