Documents décoratifs: final study for Plate 25, featuring studies of lily 1902

Alphonse Mucha made this study of a lily as a preparatory drawing for a decorative plate. It’s all about process; we see the artist working through ideas, using simple pencil marks to describe the complex forms of nature. I find myself drawn to the wiry energy of the lines describing the lily’s roots. There’s something so determined about them. They aren’t romantic or idealized, but rather, they give us a sense of the plant’s tenacity and resilience. Notice how Mucha varies the pressure of his pencil to suggest light and shadow. The delicate shading on the petals contrasts with the dark, almost scratchy quality of the roots, a detail which adds depth and volume to the drawing. Mucha’s approach reminds me of the botanical illustrations by artists like Maria Merian, who also combined scientific observation with artistic expression. Like Merian, Mucha finds beauty in the intricate details of the natural world, and transforms them into art. Ultimately, this piece suggests the beauty that can be found in the act of close observation and careful rendering.