Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), from the Flowers series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

Editor: This print is titled "Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)" from the "Flowers series for Old Judge Cigarettes," created around 1890 by Goodwin & Company. The color palette strikes me. The earthy hues, mixed with those brilliant greens and yellows... How do you interpret this work through a formal lens? Curator: The impact lies primarily in its chromatic relationships. Note the tension and balance enacted through the red backdrop against the sunflower's yellow. The artist strategically employs contrast to arrest the viewer’s gaze, guiding it toward the botanical subject. It is also worth considering the application of line, and the use of a flattened picture plane – what effect might this create? Editor: The flattening gives it an almost decorative quality, pushing the flower forward and emphasizing its graphic nature, instead of aiming for naturalistic depth. Curator: Precisely. And the interplay between line and color—notice how the dark outlines accentuate the shape of the petals, giving it definition. Further, observe the symmetry in the sunflower's head, drawing the eye directly to its center. This all works together, creating a balanced visual composition, one of its most successful aspects. Editor: That symmetry creates a visual anchor. Focusing on the visual, it's easy to forget its function as an advertisement. The composition and visual choices, however, speak beyond its intended use. I have new appreciation for how formal decisions affect my perception of the piece. Curator: Indeed, by considering purely the arrangement of the components, the artist's formal decisions regarding color, line and form invite inquiry, independent of the source from which this came.