During her free time, in the afternoons and evenings, Her Royal Highness Princess Sai Savali Bhirom, Krom Phra Sutthasininat Piyamaharajpadiwarada, would stroll to admire the various flowering plants with great interest. She was accompanied by ladies-in-waiting and pages, such as those carrying the royal umbrella, betel nut box, hand wipes, and mouthwash. Every morning, she would instruct her ladies-in-waiting to paint realistic portraits of the flowers she had cultivated, especially various orchid species, using watercolors. These paintings would then be presented to her for her inspection. If she felt the paintings were not beautiful enough, she would allow them to continue until she was satisfied. Skilled ladies-in-waiting, such as Khun Khrua Amorn Rattichunchote, were among those who received her guidance and critiques, ensuring each painting closely resembled the natural forms and colors of the flowers. Currently, 131 of these paintings have been collected, commissioned by her ladies-in-waiting from 1917 onwards. They are preserved at Her Royal Highness's residence.

Information regarding Khun Khrua Amorn's biography remains unclear. All that is known is that Khun Kha Luang Amorn was a lady-in-waiting to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and her duty was to paint watercolor portraits of flowers according to the Princess's wishes. The Princess was very fond of flowers and ordered the planting of all kinds of trees, whether flowering, foliage, or fruit trees. As recorded by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Her Royal Highness also ordered that every flower in the Suan Sunandha Garden be documented through painting. The person responsible for painting these watercolor portraits every morning was Khun Kha Luang Amorn Rattichunchote. The paintings had to be realistic in both color and shape to satisfy the Princess. As she once recounted, “If the Princess was in the garden in the morning, I would paint flowers in bloom. If she was in the palace, I had to sit at her feet and paint. If the painting wasn't beautiful, realistic, or to her liking, I had to redo it until she was satisfied… I painted flowers and trees until I developed an intestinal ailment. Each finished sheet had to be presented to her for her inspection. If it wasn't realistic, I had to redo it.”

Besides Khun Kha Luang Amorn… Besides Rattichunchote, the names of several other painters who illustrated the watercolor paintings of flowers in the Sunantha Garden appear inscribed below the paintings. These include Kongcharanyanont, Chuang, Chalerm, Chue, Pruang (Poh Chang), Piew, T. Kaewsiri, Pho, Fueam, Sudjit, Suwan, Phoolpitak, Seng, Sengiam, Sanoe, Amphar, Plueng, and the surnames of Khun Khru Amor Rattichunchote, namely M.R. and Mon.

Khun Khru Amor painted throughout her life while Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was alive. Khun Khru Amor studied at St. Joseph's School and never formally trained in art, yet she was able to create beautiful paintings. When Her Royal Highness saw flowers and found them beautiful, she would immediately call Khun Khru to paint them. The paintings had to be beautiful and lifelike; sometimes a single flower required ten sheets of paper. Her paintings were delicate with beautiful lines. Sometimes she would paint in the Orchid House, which had a round table and seating, and sometimes she would even have tea there. Sometimes, people would come down to admire the flowers as late as two in the morning.

These watercolor paintings use watercolor techniques to convey beauty in a realistic style. Anyone who sees them admires the skill, as these works are the result of the diligence and perseverance of someone who did not receive formal art training, yet was able to paint such beautiful pictures. Each painting includes the name of the flower in English and Thai, written in handwriting, along with the date and signature of the artist. However, it is regrettable that some paintings lack this information, possibly due to fading as these paintings are nearly 100 years old.

Read more: https://culture.ssru.ac.th/th/news/view/1581