Antique Art Nouveau Fairy and Flower Framed Original Watercolor

Details

Description

On offer is an exceptional example of Edwardian Fantasy/Art Nouveau illustration, heavily influenced by the fairy painter movement popularized by … Read more On offer is an exceptional example of Edwardian Fantasy/Art Nouveau illustration, heavily influenced by the fairy painter movement popularized by artists like Arthur Rackham, Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, and Cicely Mary Barker. Because of its size at 11" x 9.5", this print was likely saved from a high-quality vintage storybook treasury or anthology from the 1920s and later archivally preserved to celebrate its striking graphic design.

THEME: Titled "Fairy Parasols", the piece playfully reinterprets nature through a folklore lens. In British and Welsh mythology, wild, umbrella-like Queen Anne’s Lace flowers and certain umbrella-shaped wild mushrooms were frequently called "fairy parasols" or "pixy umbrellas”. These were said to shield the fairies from the rain or sun during their secret dances. Here, the artist visualizes the fairies actively harvesting and using the delicate white flower stalks as actual parasols.

STYLE: The sinuous, organic linework outlining the plants; the flowing, elongated garments of the fairies; and the typography utilized for the title block below are textbook Art Nouveau. The soft, muted pastel wash technique was heavily utilized in early 20th-century storybook printings.

FRAME: The label on the back gives us a clear window into its modern presentation history. It was custom framed on August 8, 2009 (8/8/09) by The Painters Place, a well-known, high-end framing and conservation shop with locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The ticket (verso) shows it was outfitted with Museum Matting and Acrylic UV Non-Glare glazing, indicating a high standard of archival care meant to protect the delicate colors of the print from fading under sunlight.

Signature/Maker’s Mark: Lower right (photo #4). Unframed dimensions: 11 inches high x 9.5 inches wide. See less