Capucine 1896

Maurice Pillard Verneuil created this print of ‘Capucine’ using the pochoir technique. It presents the vibrant capucine flower using flat colours and bold outlines. Verneuil, influenced by Art Nouveau, intricately arranges capucine flowers, leaves, and stems against a pale background. The composition, characterized by its flat perspective, employs a stylized approach to natural forms, transforming botanical elements into decorative motifs. The leaves, rendered as circular shapes with radial veins, create a rhythmic pattern, while the flowers exhibit varied orientations and degrees of detail. The overall effect is a flattening of depth, typical of the printmaking process. The botanical accuracy is superseded by aesthetic considerations. Note how he uses a limited colour palette to create a unified visual statement. This print embodies the Art Nouveau aesthetic, where natural forms are stylized and abstracted to serve decorative purposes.