Treasures of the Jardin botanique de la Marine

The first cycle of a two-part exhibition, the collection of watercolors held by the Musée d'Art de Toulon bears witness to the full richness of the Jardin botanique de Toulon, which was succeeded by the Jardin de la Marine. Painted from nature by volunteer illustrators between 1794 and 1827, these watercolors offer a precious glimpse into the diversity of the garden where species from all five continents were cultivated. Each drawing displays the plant as a whole as well as precise details of its anatomy, such as seeds, petals, flowers, and pods...

Each illustration is also accompanied by notes detailing the plants' characteristics, their origin, their cultivation, and their flowering.

The work by Vincent Courdouan, entitled 'Vue de la rade de Toulon', will be presented as part of this exhibition. This acquisition constitutes the second major initiative undertaken this year by the Ville de Toulon to enrich its collections, following the 'Aquarelles en fleurs' acquired during an auction organized by Sotheby's France.

• EXHIBITION UNTIL FEBRUARY 23. Musée d'Art de Toulon - 113 boulevard Leclerc in Toulon.

Tel. 04 94 36 81 15 - museeart@mairie-toulon.fr Free admission.

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.