In just three weeks, something truly special is coming to our garden gallery: an exhibition of rare 19th Century Brendel botanical teaching models.

Created in Germany between the 1860s and late 1800s by Robert Brendel and his son Reinhold, these models are widely regarded as some of the finest botanical teaching tools ever made. They were likely acquired in the early 1900s by the University of Stellenbosch’s Botany Department and were rediscovered during a store room clean-up in 2020. Professor Leanne Dreyer, recognising their value, kept them safe in her office until now and has kindly donated them to our gallery to be enjoyed by the public for generations to come.

Handcrafted long before photographs, microscopes or projectors were commonplace teaching tools, these models sit beautifully at the intersection of art and science. For their first official exhibition, we’re using them exactly as intended: to educate inquiring minds about botany by pairing each model with an exciting and enticing piece of information.

This exhibition will only run for three weeks, don’t miss it!