Imperial Botany–or a Peep at Josephine's Collection of Engilsh Exoticks, vide the Champion Jany 30, 1814

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I'm so excited to show you a super fun picture! It's called "Imperial Botany," and it's like a sneaky joke from a long, long time ago. It's a picture, but it's also a story! nn (Pause for children to look at the image) nn Does anyone see all the plants? They're in pretty pots, right? But look closely! This picture isn't just about plants. It's from 1814, a time when there were very important people, like kings and queens, and lots of exciting (and sometimes scary!) things happening. nn (Pause for children to examine the details) nn This artist, a clever man named George Cruikshank, used the plants to tell a secret story. See those people looking at the plants? They're dressed up like fancy ladies and gentlemen. And look! One plant has a face on it! Can you guess whose face it is? (Encourage guesses). That's right, it's Napoleon! He was a very famous, and sometimes grumpy, leader. The artist is using the plants to talk about him and other important people in a funny way. nn (Pause for children to point out details) nn The picture is full of little clues. It's like a puzzle! The artist used lots of browns and greens for the plants and pots, but he added brighter colors for the clothes of the people. It's like he's saying, "Look at these important people, but don't forget the plants are telling a story too!" What do you think the artist is trying to tell us? What do you think is funny about the picture? nn (Pause for discussion and answers) nn So, "Imperial Botany" isn't just a pretty picture of plants. It's a clever way to talk about important things that happened a long, long time ago. It shows us that art can be fun and funny, but it can also tell us about history and important people. Isn't that amazing? What other secrets do you think are hidden in this picture? nn (Pause for children to share their thoughts) nn I hope you enjoyed learning about this fun and sneaky picture! Remember, art can be more than just pretty colors; it can tell stories and even make us laugh! Now, let's go look at some more amazing art!