Lilies

Art Historical Context

"Lilies" is a graceful undated drawing by Alice Pike Barney now cherished in the Smithsonian American Art's collection. Rendered in the intimate medium of drawing, the work features a bust in profile intertwined with lilies, evoking a sense of poised elegance and natural beauty. The lilies, symbols of purity and renewal, frame the subject's serene form, highlighting Barney's ability to blend portraiture with floral motifs in a single, harmonious composition. Gifted to the museum by Barney's daughters, Laura Dreyfus Barney and Natalie Clifford Barney, in memory of their mother, this piece holds deep familial and cultural resonance. It reflects the early 20th-century tradition of women artists contributing to American visual culture through personal, evocative works. As a drawing, it exemplifies the medium's versatility—allowing for fluid lines and subtle shading that capture fleeting impressions—offering visitors a window into Barney's artistic sensitivity and the era's appreciation for refined, symbolic portraiture.