I found a secondhand copy of Tulip Fever a couple of years ago. It centers around a young married woman who takes an artist lover amidst the fever-pitch tulip obsession of 17th-century Holland.
The book is much sexier, with a satisfying twist at the end, than the movie, now streaming on Netflix. I definitely recommend it for a short but compelling read.
Here in New England, we are all so desperate for sunlight, warmth, and signs of life after a long winter, we experience a bit of flower-mania as well.
It’s easy for floral patterns in fashion and decor to lean toward twee and unimaginative. And they are trotted out every spring in the style media as though it’s something newsworthy.
We here at Manuma favor something perhaps a bit darker, with a slight edge to it.
I was happy to discover the Dutch woman artist Rachel Ruysch of the tulip-mania era, thanks to this print available through 20×200. The dark interiors in the background of Dutch Renaissance still-lifes tend to lessen the one-dimensional cheer of a floral arrangement.
Even darker and moodier floral art by Daniel Lee, also at 20×200.
You can choose your own floral masterpiece and have it delivered to your home or office with our partner, The Bouqs Co. To really up the elegance and nurture your biophilia, select one of their delivery subscriptions so you never forget to pick up flowers.
I’ve carefully selected The Bouqs to work with as an affiliate, because they source from organic farms with fair labor practices. We will earn a small commission from any purchases you make using these links, which helps us fund our launch. Thank you for your support.
Kustaa Saksi is a Finnish artist who has taken to the very old textile technology of tapestry to express his graphic designs. This tapestry carpet collaboration, commissioned by the Victoria & Albert Museum, is dark in every sense of the word: embedded in the weaving are seeds of the tropical plants depicted in the pattern, which would bloom in a future Europe devoid of humans. Learn more here.
Of course, floral patterns abound in fashion fabrics, including these vintage black lace tap pants at the Rijksmuseum.
Providence, RI artist Kate Blacklock‘s flatbed scanner photography evokes the 17th century Dutch florals, with the glitchy distortions enabled by modern technology. Prints on various media available.
You can wear your favorite blooms and branches, fresh or dried, in this gender neutral boutonniere brooch from Lady Grey Jewelry.
What’s your view on florals for spring? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and share this post on your social channels.