Iris 2 1896

Maurice Pillard Verneuil created Iris 2 to explore decorative patterns, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. The artwork, divided into three distinct sections, showcases the iris flower in various stylized forms, each employing a unique arrangement of color and line. Notice how Verneuil uses the iris motif to explore ideas about repetition and variation. In the top right, the iris becomes a dense, wallpaper-like pattern where each flower is meticulously replicated to create a field of visual harmony. The lower section presents a rhythmic, linear pattern with the irises interspersed with sinuous water-like forms, evoking a sense of flow. In contrast, the panel on the left offers a more naturalistic depiction, framed as if it were a stained-glass window. Here, the formal elements—line and color—serve to capture the essence of the iris in a more lifelike manner. Each section functions as a study in how an image can be deconstructed and reassembled, inviting us to consider the interplay between art, nature, and design.