Lis (Lilies), pl. 19

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 lilies, outlined with thin, brown lines, the petals colored with white or with shades of orange, the pistils with green, and the anthers with brown, standing on thin, long branches, flanked by leaves, outlined with thin, brown lines, and colored with shades of green. On the right part of the sheet is a detail of the pistil of the flower, outlined with brown and colored with shades of green. On the lower left corner of the sheet is a view of a lily from above, outlined with brown. 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.