Tie-back c. 1941

Helen Bronson made this drawing of a Tie-back, sometime during her lifetime. The approach to mark-making feels delicate and deliberate, like a botanist carefully recording details. You can almost see her studying each leaf, translating its texture and form onto paper. Looking closely, the colours are muted, primarily yellows and whites, creating a gentle harmony. It's interesting how she used layering and blending to create depth and volume, particularly in the leaves. The white flower in the middle seems to reach out, sitting proud of its surroundings. You can see the artist's hand in the subtle variations, the way she built up the forms with fine strokes. The Tie-back reminds me of other botanical artists like Maria Merian, who combined scientific observation with artistic expression. It's a lovely example of how art can embrace ambiguity, leaving space for viewers to bring their own interpretations and emotions to the experience.