De beschildering met lathyrus van een knop, met daarboven enkele blaadjes c. 1897

Anatole-Alexis Fournier made this watercolour and pencil work, "The painting with lathyrus of a bud, with some leaves above" in the early 20th century. Fournier was a part of the Art Nouveau movement, whose motifs were frequently based on natural forms. The historical context for this botanical drawing stems from a broader interest in nature that swept through Western societies at the turn of the century. This interest was reflected in scientific studies, philosophy, and of course, the arts. The piece also reflects institutional histories. Fournier's work was closely associated with the École de Nancy, an art school founded to promote regional artistic production and oppose the centralizing influence of Parisian art institutions. This artwork is self-consciously progressive in its attempt to explore alternatives to academic art. As historians, our job is to trace the social and institutional contexts that shape artistic production. It reminds us that art is never created in a vacuum, but is always a product of specific social, cultural, and institutional forces.