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Morris maintained that, “Good flower painting must show a great understanding between painter and painted otherwise there can be no connection and truth.” Morris’ paintings of flowers are so precise that the exact varieties he depicted are habitually identifiable. In this case, the flowers even allow us to date the scene to August or September, just as the title Late Flowers suggests. The pale blue Salvia uliginosa in the lower left, the reblooming Delphiniums, and the rich flush of Dahlias offer a direct glimpse into the plants Morris loved and how he instinctively combined them in the garden.
What makes this painting particularly striking is its perspective. The viewpoint tilts downward, as though the viewer is perched at the edge of the flowerbed, stepping into the shoes of the gardener himself. This unusual vantage point draws us into Morris’ world to experience the dense tangle of colour and texture up close, immersed in the details. More than decorative still lifes,...
Morris maintained that, “Good flower painting must show a great understanding between painter and painted otherwise there can be no connection and truth.” Morris’ paintings of flowers are so precise that the exact varieties he depicted are habitually identifiable. In this case, the flowers even allow us to date the scene to August or September, just as the title Late Flowers suggests. The pale blue Salvia uliginosa in the lower left, the reblooming Delphiniums, and the rich flush of Dahlias offer a direct glimpse into the plants Morris loved and how he instinctively combined them in the garden.
What makes this painting particularly striking is its perspective. The viewpoint tilts downward, as though the viewer is perched at the edge of the flowerbed, stepping into the shoes of the gardener himself. This unusual vantage point draws us into Morris’ world to experience the dense tangle of colour and texture up close, immersed in the details. More than decorative still lifes, Morris’ flower paintings are intimate records of his gardening vision. Today, works like Late Flowers provide invaluable clues for the restoration of Benton End, guiding the revival of its distinctive spirit.
On loan from a private collection.
