Merrillium Trovatum

Mediums: oil, canvas.
Location: The collection of the Dorothea Tanning Foundation, New York (the USA).

The work refers to the last cycle of the creative career of the artist. She recalled how this particular purple flower came to her like a “vision,” which led to the creation of a series of 12 abstract flower paintings. All of them softly glow; areas of dark emptiness are complemented by golden highlights. The shape of the flower suggests an idea of female physiology and distant cosmos. Art critics note the presence of obvious references to the work of Georgia O’Keefe at this late stage of Tanning’s career: female and flower performances are equally meditative and calm.