When you next visit the house be sure to take a moment to admire the beautiful prints by Luisa F. Nunes ‘Naturalist Women from the past’.
The interest and knowledge about the natural world, on the part of many women throughout history, has been neglected and forgotten. This exhibition painted during the pandemic, shows fifteen inspiring and influential women and their conservation work, that had a huge impact on knowledge about flora and fauna species.
They challenged conventions and took risks in many ways to bring to the world the discovery of species never described before. Many were illustrators, as that was the only way to record what they saw. They were all adventurers, different women, some absolutely misunderstood for their visionary sense.
Luisa Nunes is a professor of ecology and entomology at the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Portugal. Her passion for naturalism has led her on several expeditions to remote regions of the world. Illustration is her hobby, with eighteen published books. The most popular is her illustrated diary, whose theme changes every year. Luisa has had a special affection for Belmont House for a long time.
This fascinating exhibtion will be on display in the Orangery until end of August and will be available to see on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays the House is open for tours.