Oriental Poppies

Poppies feature prominently in masterpieces of fine art from painters such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, and Georgia O’Keefe. The mesmerizing scarlet, vermillion, or persimmon blooms immediately command attention, which make them ideal elements to include in any masterwork. However, it is curious that none of those most famous of paintings capture the intricate feathery, fern-like foliage of soft, silver-green stems and leaves. Wouldn’t you agree that every part of the poppy is fascinating?

Words and images by Michael J. Hall