Lilie und Levkoje 1806

Philipp Otto Runge created this paper cutting, "Lilie und Levkoje," using a pair of scissors. The stark contrast between the white floral forms and the black background immediately captures your attention. Two symmetrical arrangements mirror each other, each featuring stylized lilies and levkoje. Runge manipulates positive and negative space to abstract the botanical world, reducing natural forms to their essence. He was deeply involved with the Romantic era's preoccupation with nature, symbolism, and the search for universal harmony. This work reflects a formal exploration of how natural shapes can be simplified and reorganized into balanced compositions, which resonated with Runge's philosophical beliefs about the interconnectedness of the world. Note how the symmetrical design reinforces a sense of order and balance, reflecting the artist’s pursuit of harmony within nature. The starkness of the black and white palette also contributes to the work's graphic impact, turning delicate floral motifs into powerful design elements.