Wild Roses and Irises

Art Historical Context

John La Farge's *Wild Roses and Irises (1887) is a delicate floral study that captures the ephemeral beauty of nature through masterful watercolor and gouache on white wove paper. 14½ × 10⁷/₁₆ inches, this intimate work exemplifies La Farge's innovative approach to American art during the late 19th century. As a pioneering figure in the Aesthetic Movement, he drew inspiration from Japanese prints and Impressionist light effects, blending translucent watercolor washes with the opacity of gouache to achieve luminous depth and vibrant color harmony. Created at a time when American artists were pushing beyond traditional oil painting, La Farge's technique revolutionized watercolor, making it a medium for complex, jewel-like effects previously unseen. The wild roses and irises—evident in the artwork's tags—evoke a sense of untamed elegance, reflecting the era's fascination with botany and ornamental beauty in decorative arts. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, this piece was generously gifted in 1950 by Priscilla A. B. Henderson in memory of her grandfather, Russell Sturgis, a Met founder. It invites visitors to appreciate how La Farge bridged East and West, elevating floral motifs into profound artistic statements.

About the Artist

John La Farge · 1835–1910

John La Farge (1835–1910) was born into a wealthy French émigré family in New York City, the son of John Frederick La Farge and Louisa Binsse de Saint-Victor. Educated at Jesuit institutions including Mount St. Mary's College in Maryland and St. John's College (now Fordham University), he initially pursued law but turned to art after receiving early drawing lessons from his maternal grandfather, a...