Artwork
The Superb Lily
The Superb Lily is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Ward. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Superb Lily is a print created by William Ward in 1799 using mezzotint with etching on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a single lily plant with large, spotted flowers, rendered in detail against a dark background. The curled petals and dark stems and leaves create a striking contrast.
Technique & Style
The artist combined shading and lines to achieve a realistic representation of the flowers. The use of tiny dots to create dark spots on the petals adds texture to the image.
Artist & collection
Soapweed, Arizona (no. 2)
Narcissus pseudonarcissus moschatus (moskus-narcis); Narcissus bulbocodium (krinoline-narcis); Narcissus pseudonarcissus (påskelilje)
Flore des Jardiniers, Amateurs et Manufacturiers: Polyanthus or Cluster Narcissus
The Temple of the Flora: American Bog Plants
Polianthes tuberosa (tuberose); Amaryllis belladonna (belladonnalilje)
Hieracium Cymosum
Lilium pyrenaicum (pyrenæisk lilje)
A Stalk of Lilies with Six Blooms