Nénuphars (Waterlilies), pl. 10

Plate, part of a collection of 30 pochoir pattern plates, originally part of a book titled "Les fleurs et leurs applications décoratives" (Flowers and their decorative applications), created by Émile-Allain Séguy and published in Paris by A. Calavas, as part of the collection "Librairie des Arts Decoratifs" (Library of Decorative Arts) in 1902. The plate features a naturalistic illustration with a bundle of waterlilies, their petals outlined with thin, black lines, and partially colored with white, and their stamens colored with shades of orange, standing on their stems, which are colored, as are the sepals, with shades of brown and green, and one large, heart-shaped leaf, colored with dark shades of green. Some of the flowers in the bundle have died, and are shown without petals, their pistils fully visible, colored with shades of green, and the receptacles framing them colored with shades of orange. The detailed, naturalistic depiction of this illustration reveals Séguy's unique interest in the scientific study of the creations of nature, including flowers, butterflies, and insects, as a source of inspiration for artistic creation. This illustration was likely meant to inspire designs for textiles and wallpapers.