#06488 Walter Crane (1845-1915)

The drawing presents a striking visual metaphor centered around the transformation of lilies into tigers. Here we observe a composition where floral forms are inextricably linked with feline anatomy, creating a surreal and unsettling juxtaposition. The central focus is on two intertwined figures: one resembling a tiger emerging from the petals of a lily, while another appears to be a human figure entwined within the flower’s structure.
The artist has employed a delicate linework style, characteristic of illustrative techniques, with careful attention paid to detail in both the botanical and animal elements. The lilies are rendered with an elegant precision, their forms elongated and stylized. The tigers depiction is equally detailed, showcasing its musculature and fur texture while maintaining a degree of fantastical exaggeration.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing shades of orange, brown, and green against a cream-colored background. This limited range contributes to the drawing’s dreamlike quality and emphasizes the symbolic nature of the imagery. The text accompanying the image – Then lilies, turned to tigers / Blaze amid the gardens tangled maze – provides crucial context for interpreting the scene. It suggests a narrative of metamorphosis or sudden, unexpected change.
Subtexts within the drawing hint at themes of duality and hidden danger. The lily, traditionally associated with purity and beauty, is corrupted by the presence of the tiger, symbolizing perhaps the potential for violence or untamed nature lurking beneath a veneer of tranquility. The human figure’s entanglement within the flower could represent vulnerability or entrapment within a deceptive environment.
The compositions vertical orientation reinforces the sense of transformation and ascension, as if the lilies-turned-tigers are rising from the garden floor. Overall, the drawing conveys a feeling of unsettling beauty, inviting contemplation on the unpredictable nature of change and the potential for unexpected transformations in both the natural world and human experience.