Studieblad met verschillende aanzichten van een iris 1842 - 1885

Claude Sauvageot created this study of an iris, likely in the mid-19th century, using graphite on paper. The artwork presents two distinct views of the same iris. The composition is carefully balanced. The upper view offers a more frontal perspective, while the lower view provides a slightly angled and elongated appearance. The visual rhythm, which arises from the repetition of petal shapes and their subtle gradations of tone, guides the viewer's eye through the artwork. Sauvageot's choice of a monochromatic palette directs our focus towards the intrinsic forms of the iris. This is more than botanical illustration. Here, line and shading give volume to the flower's delicate structure. This structured approach not only captures the aesthetic essence of the iris but also engages with broader questions about perception, representation, and the inherent order found in nature.