Faisans ordinaires. 1897

Maurice Pillard Verneuil, working at the turn of the 20th century, created this print titled “Faisans ordinaires,” or “Common Pheasants.” Verneuil situated himself within the Art Nouveau movement, a time when artists looked to the natural world for inspiration, in a sense blurring the lines between art and nature. But, let’s think about this for a moment; what does it mean to take nature as your inspiration? Verneuil was celebrated for his ability to capture the essence of natural forms, using them as a basis for decorative patterns. The Art Nouveau style can be viewed as an attempt to redefine beauty in an era of rapid industrialization, but it can also be viewed as an attempt to redefine the relationship between humans and the environment, asking us to find harmony in our surroundings. As you look at the image, consider how Verneuil captured not just the likeness of the pheasants, but also a certain feeling of tranquility. How does the composition, with its soft colors and gentle curves, evoke a sense of the natural world?