Flora: The Secret Language of Plants in Art [Hardcover]

A lush exploration of the many ways plants and flowers have inspired art and artists throughout history.

“A visually rich exploration of how humankind perceives and represents the botanical world.”―Library Journal

Piet Mondrian’s chrysanthemums, Faith Ringgold's sunflowers, Georgia O'Keefe's black iris, Salvador Dalí's narcissus, Yayoi Kusama's pumpkin—these are just a few of the many exemplary pairings featured inFlorathat offer a unique, artistic interpretation of a plant’s essence. This visually captivating survey from Hope Werness is arranged thematically by the trees, flowers, fruit, vegetables, spices, grasses, grains, and vines that have served as a root for artistic inquiry across time.Floradeepens our understanding of plants through the lens of artistic expression, bringing a new context to an ever-enduring love of nature.Dr. Hope Wernessis an Art Historian specializing in non-Western and modern European art. She has taught for over twenty years at California State University, Stanislaus. “This compelling volume offers brief yet illuminating plant profiles through a cross-cultural, art-historical lens…. Botanists and artists alike will benefit from the volume’s interdisciplinary approach, which emphasizes the irreplaceable value of plant life. Overall, Werness’s book is a visually rich exploration of how humankind perceives and represents the botanical world.”Library Journal