The Superb Lily

The flowers in this section embody elegance and beauty and were celebrated for their vibrant colors, striking forms, and cultural significance. European horticulturists in the 1600s prized auriculas for their velvet-like petals and jewel-toned hues, making them symbols of refinement and collector favorites.

The Blue Egyptian water lily, sacred in ancient Egypt, represented rebirth and creation. The bird of paradise, native to South Africa, resembles a bird in flight, evoking freedom and magnificence. The superb lily, native to North America, was admired for its dramatic blooms and rich hues, embodying strength and grace.

Monet, equally captivated by water lilies, sought hybrids created by a local grower, whose pink and red varieties blended hardy European, American and unique African strains. These blooms, celebrated for their innovation and beauty, echo the lilies seen here while inspiring Monet’s own vision of nature’s elegance.