Cups and saffron boxes or cups made by John R. Dierwechter (1910-1996). Collection of Esther, Grace and Naomi Dierwechter.

NEW YORK CITY – Ursus Prints will host the first New York solo exhibition of original botanical paintings by Beverly Duncan from October 1 to 26.

Duncan creates subtle and brilliantly detailed paintings of simple horticultural subjects: leaves, blossoms, fruit, grasses and trees. Inspired by the environment of western Massachusetts, her works rely on keen observation and fine description to reveal the unique character of familiar subjects. Duncan’s paintings combine the exactitude of scientific illustration with luminous color and elegant line, to convey the delicacy and transiency of natural things.

Duncan’s paintings have been widely exhibited, collected and published since 1990. Her work has been shown at the nation’s most prestigious venues for botanical art, including the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, the Smithsonian Institution, the Denver Botanic Garden (Best Color work, 1999) and the Horticultural Society of New York (Best of Show, 1999), among many others. In addition to numerous commissions for horticultural illustration, Duncan has illustrated five children’s books.

Duncan grew up in Hawaii and Northern California and has a degree in Graphic Design from the University of California at Berkeley. She is primarily self-taught as a botanical artist.

The Print Department at Ursus specializes in Sixteenth to Nineteenth Century English and European decorative works on paper.

Hours are Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. For information, 212-772-8787.