Tulipes (Tulips), pl. 7

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 tulips, outlined with thin, black lines, and colored with red, white, and shades of orange, standing on their thin stems, which are flanked by elongated, scrolling leaves, both outlined with thin, black lines, and colored with shades of green. On the lower right part of the sheet is a small illustration with the upper part of a tulip stem, showing the pistils of the tulip, both outlined with thin, black lines, and colored with shades of green, and flanked by a sketch of a tulip petal, outlined with thin black and green lines. 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.