The artwork, entitled “Petunia, Walberswick,” was created by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1914. It belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and is an example of a flower painting genre.
The artwork features a detailed and delicate depiction of various flowers, with the prominent presence of a large, strikingly vivid purple petunia at the center. Surrounding this principal flower are other blooms rendered in pale hues, including soft pinks and whites, all meticulously outlined and shaded, revealing Mackintosh’s distinct artistic style. The composition is characterized by a blend of bright and subtle colors, demonstrating a balance between bold and muted tones. The artist’s precise lines and use of watercolors give the flowers a lifelike yet stylized appearance, which is emblematic of the Art Nouveau movement. In the upper right corner, a label with the title “Petunia, Walberswick,” the date “1914,” and the artist’s initials “C.R.M.M.M.M.” is inscribed, further affirming the identity and period of the piece.
