Drawn to the south-west of England by the wildness of the moors, rolling hills and dramatic skies, artists have found inspiration in its landscape for centuries.

Devon is renowned for its verdant pastures scattered with grazing cattle, many of which make a twice-daily journey to the parlour for milking. Some artists have chosen to portray farmyard scenes as an idyllic way of life, while others record in detail the hard labour behind the food on our plate.

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In modern life, photographs of food are everywhere including cookery books, advertising and social media feeds. Sharing carefully composed images of homemade food, restaurant meals and allotment produce has become an integral part of the dining experience. Long before we take the first bite our expectations are influenced by its visual appeal.

This was also true some 400 years ago when the genre of still life painting was still in its infancy. Dutch and Flemish painters depicted precisely arranged fruit and flowers with incredible vibrancy. They used still life paintings to showcase their technical skill.

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Artists have been inspired by the rich landscapes and coastal waters of the Southwest where crops, meat and fish are produced. They have also responded creatively to the towns and cities where the food was bought and sold.

We can still see these buildings around us in Exeter, though none are used for food trading in the same way today.

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Fishing boats are iconic symbols of our enduring connection with the sea. Busy harbours, rough oceans, and colourful boats are attractive subjects for artists allowing them to capture the atmosphere and routine of daily coastal life.

With hundreds of miles of coastline, the sea has been a vital source of sustenance for people in the Southwest for thousands of years.

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Between 1750 and 1850 exploration around the globe led to a wealth of discoveries for Western science. This, combined with improvements in printing and engraving, allowed botanical illustration to break new boundaries within botanical art.

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