The latest art exhibition at The Masterworks Museum will be opened next week by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester GCVO.

Floral Lane will open on November 14 and run into next summer.

The exhibition explores Bermuda's transformation from the barren terrain covered in low scrub, screw palms and cedars that greeted the early explorers, to the lush semi-tropical paradise it is today.

Some of the earliest paintings of Bermuda such as those by esteemed artists Thomas Driver and Thomas William Tucker which were done in the early 1800s, portray a Bermuda with hillsides devoid of much else except the ubiquitous cedar and screw palm.

However, by the 1850s when the Royal Navy was using topographical draftsmen to document its "holdings" across the British Empire, the existence of such exotic species as the Royal Palm and such are evident. By the 1870s, floral paintings of Bermuda reflected the addition of the oleander, hibiscus, many roses and morning glory to the Bermudian landscape. The emergence of Impressionism and plein-air painting made Bermuda the perfect venue for painters from both sides of the Atlantic; the climate being agreeable for outdoor painting all the year round.

From the turn of the century, artists flocked to Bermuda to interpret the landscape, including Winslow Homer in 1899 and 1901. The 21 watercolours he produced during these visits were hugely influential on many artists of the time who, as a result, chose Bermuda as a painting destination for years following. The oils of Ambrose Webster reflected the succulent cactus and Spanish bayonets in the gaudy, glaring summer brightness, while others created a completely different effect softer and more delicate.

By the 1890s Bermuda was truly an "island paradise", a popular description in tourism advertisements. "From showers to flowers in 48 hours" and "40 hours from frost to flowers" were both marvellous catch phrases to promote the fledgling, albeit burgeoning, tourist industry.

The exhibit will feature works from famous artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Marsden Hartley and Dodge McKnight, and there will even be works on display for the very first time from the permanent collection. Some of the flowers depicted in these paintings are oleander, hibiscus, Bermuda lily, bermudiana and boungainvillea; all which add colour and vitality to the island landscape surrounding us.

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester GCVO will be on the Island from Thursday through Sunday. As Colonel-in-Chief of the Bermuda Regiment, her primary focus during the visit will be to present new regimental colours to the Regiment.

Masterworks' founder and creative director Tom Butterfield said: "We are truly honoured to have the Duchess here, and we are very proud to be able to show her Bermuda's museum and share with her the collection. It is a very special day for Masterworks indeed!"

During the private, members' only reception, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester GCVO will officially open the show. She will also plant a Mary Jean rose in memory of Mary Jean Mitchell Green, the late wife of Peter Green, an ardent supporter of the museum. The Green family will be represented by Michael Darling.

Opening in tandem in the Rick Faries Gallery is a show entitled Flora Arts and Fine Arts, which will showcase the miniature paintings of Elizabeth Mulderig, the floral arrangements of Suzan Sickling and the hat designs of JudiAnn Smith. This show will run until November 24th.

In keeping with Masterworks' mission to provide art education to all, classes and workshops organised around a floral theme will also be offered to the public. Details will be available shortly.

Lead sponsorship for this show has been provided by the late Deborah Butterfield, Aspen Re, Colonial Insurance and Aberfeldy Nursery.