In this gallery I talk about the many different ways flowers make an appearance in the art world. Wether the pieces are from different times, different styles of art, different media, from different places around the world, they all have an aspect of flowers to them. Even though they all work with flowers in some way, some of them have very little else in common. The meanings are different, the personalities, and even the structure of the work. You will see art that depicts flowers in a very true and natural sense, and art that even strips the flowers down to a mere suggestion. Wether any of these pieces are a more valid, more beautiful, or more skilled art piece is purely up to the viewer and their opinion.
Flowers, MONNOYER, Jean-Baptiste, 1634/1699, From the collection of: Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
In this piece we see one of the earlier more traditional art pieces of flowers. Here we see a traditional representational painting of a still life flowers. In this situation the flowers are simply the subject of the painting. The flowers natural beauty and the ability of the artist to represent them so perfectly is the main focus of this painting.
Garland of Flowers with Madonna and Child, Daniel Seghers, First half of the 17th century, From the collection of: The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo
In this next piece though it has some of the same artistic characteristics of the first, the subject of the painting and the use of the flowers is different. Here the beauty and vibrance of the flowers is used to frame and the object of the painting (The Madonna and Child). The artist uses the flowers as an artistic element to a much larger subject.
Flowers of Japan, Artist: Ogata Gekko, 1893, From the collection of: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
In this piece we see that flowers in art were not specific to one culture. In Japan they recognized the beauty of flowers as well. In this scene not only are the flowers beautifully represented with color, but they are the center of the story. They are incorporated into the lives of the figures in the painting like they would be in everyday life.
Boy's Flower, Kim, Seong Ryong, 2004, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
Here we start to see a bit of a difference, both in style and in personality. The style shifts to more of ruff sketching. Here in "Boy's Flower" the flower is almost portrayed as life like, or as the boys pet. The artist is starting to have some fun with the personality and story of the flower. The flower is no longer just a pretty object but an element in a story.
The Flower 82152, Cheong, Kwang Ho, 2008, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
Here we start to get into different meanings and messages of the artist. The flower is broken down into its most basic parts. It seams almost stripped of its personality unlike the previous ones. This does not take away the beauty of it, it simply helps us to focus on the structural beauty, perfections, and imperfections of flowers.
Their Flowers 48, Byoungho Kim, 김병호, 2006, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
Here the flower is broken down even more. The artist is almost trying to use the suggestion of flowers in her broken down shape. Though there may not be a clear image or meaning for us to pickup on, we can still recognize the beauty of it and the elements of flowers play a role in the larger meaning.
White Flowers, Byoungho Kim, 김병호, 2006, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
This piece takes it even a step further, completely removing any element of true flowers. Even though there is nothing in the art that is inherent to flowers, we still get the image of flowers from the shape and flow of the piece. The artist has removed the things we usually consider particular to flowers; color, petals, material, softness, lifelikeness. Even without these things the artist can depict flowers showing the power of art and the beauty of flowers in a whole new way.
Taking a Lesson from the Past - Flower Face, Kang, Yong Meon, 2004, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
Here the artist gets even more abstract in a way. Though there are flowers in the piece, they seam to have little relevance to the subject of the piece. They are used almost abstractly to add beauty and color to the structure, with little relevance that they are flowers. In this piece the flowers are an element but only for their aesthetic looks and not their "floweriness" or flower essence.
Angel Soldier, Lee, Yongbaek, 2011, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
Here the artist takes purely the color and material of the flowers to create vibrant floating figures. Though the aspect of them being flowers might add some to the meaning, the majority of the contribution from the flowers is purely physical. The artist takes the form of the flower and creates something entirely new.
Mysterious Blossom, Kim, Byung Jin, 2008, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
We even see the flower in the world of science and geometric figures. You can created geometrically perfect forms that clearly resemble flowers. It is hypothesized that these shapes can even cary scientific meaning and relevance.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
