Ontwerp voor de beschildering van een vaas 'Elfes et Iris' 1874 - 1926

This is Anatole-Alexis Fournier's design for the decoration of a vase, “Elfes et Iris.” Fournier created it at a time when the decorative arts were flourishing. In this delicate watercolor and graphite drawing, we see the integration of mythical and natural elements characteristic of Art Nouveau, with fairies dancing amongst irises. The iris flower, often associated with the Greek goddess Iris, embodies a sense of communication and messages from the divine. The fairies, lightly sketched, suggest a world of fantasy, an escape from the industrial revolution. Fournier’s decision to depict female figures also invites a feminist reading. The fairies, who are graceful and empowered, diverge from traditional, often passive, representations of women. Consider how Fournier uses both mythological figures and natural forms to express a longing for a world imbued with magic and beauty.