Plant Fantasy c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Plant Fantasy" by Jeanne Deny. I’m immediately drawn to the contrast between the almost stern, regimented leaves and the soft, frilly blossoms. How do you interpret this curious blend of nature? Curator: It's a fascinating piece, isn’t it? The regimented leaves are almost like peacock feathers, grand and a bit theatrical. Deny plays with our expectations; are these plants, or are they characters in a botanical drama? What feelings arise in you when considering such a theatrical spin? Editor: It makes me think about the artifice of gardens, how nature can be sculpted into something almost unreal. Curator: Exactly! Perhaps Deny is gently hinting at the tension between the wild and the cultivated, between nature's true form and our desire to mold it to our whims. It’s all there, in the delicate lines and bold shapes. I wonder how Deny's perspective has shifted mine. Editor: I’m definitely seeing this in a new light, thanks to your perspective!