Water-lily panel 1883 - 1900

This water-lily panel was created by the Associated Artists, a group of women designers who worked together in the late 19th century. It’s a great example of the kind of decorative art that was becoming popular at the time. Think about the social context in which this panel was made. In the United States, the Aesthetic Movement was in full swing, emphasizing beauty and good taste in the home. Groups like the Associated Artists provided opportunities for women to participate in the art world, challenging traditional gender roles. But how progressive were they really? The patterns and designs they produced were often marketed to a wealthy, elite clientele, reinforcing existing class divisions. To understand this work fully, we might look to periodicals, advertisements, and other historical sources. These would give us a better sense of how art and design functioned in society. Ultimately, the meaning of this water-lily panel lies not just in its aesthetic qualities, but in its complex relationship to the social and institutional forces of its time.