“This striking print uses bold lines and flat colors to transform a simple field of flowers into a dynamic Art Nouveau design. It's an early example of the graphic style that would define a new era of American illustration.”
A burst of vibrant orange and green dominates this early work by Will H. Bradley, capturing the essence of a field in bloom. The composition, created using color zincograph, presents a simplified yet dynamic view of nature, where organic forms are flattened and outlined with a graphic precision. This approach, characteristic of the burgeoning Art Nouveau movement, transforms a common subject into a striking decorative statement. The bold lines and flat areas of color suggest a keen awareness of Japanese woodblock prints, a popular influence at the time. Look closely at how the artist uses these strong visual elements to convey the feeling of a lush landscape, even without intricate detail or traditional perspective. It’s a design that feels both modern and timeless, reflecting the innovative spirit of the late 19th century.
- Artist
- Will H. Bradley
- Date
- 1888
- Medium
- Color zincograph on cream wove paper
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Collection
- Prints and Drawings
- Culture
- United States
- Credit line
- Gift of George F. Porter
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The bold, graphic outlines defining each flower and leaf.
The limited color palette of vibrant orange, green, and cream.
The way the flowers seem to sway, creating a sense of movement.
The absence of traditional depth or perspective, making the image feel flat.
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Will H. Bradley
1868–1962 · United StatesAmerica's highest-paid artist of the early 1900s who brought Art Nouveau posters to the masses.
Further Works by Bradley
A Bacchante
Salford Museum and Art Gallery
A Lady in a Plumed Hat
Manchester Art Gallery
Henry Liverseege (1802–1832)
Salford Museum and Art Gallery
John Isherwood
Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Joseph Brotherton (1783–1857), MP
Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Lady with a Dog
Manchester Art Gallery
Portrait of a Seated Woman Sleeping
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
Sir Thomas Potter
Manchester Town Hall
More works to explore
Beyond Bradley: works from the same years.
Same era · 1870s–1900s
A Woman Walking in a Garden
Vincent van Gogh · 1887 · Frans Buffa & sons
Same era · 1870s–1900s
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884
Okada Saburosuke · 1884 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Madame Léon Clapisson
Léon-Victor Dupré · 1883 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Paris Street; Rainy Day
Kawabata Gyokushō · 1877 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Still Life with Crayfish
Mikhail Larionov · 1900 · Museum Ludwig
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Landscape from Arles
Paul Gauguin · 1888 · Nationalmuseum
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Madame Cézanne (Hortense Fiquet, 1850–1922) in a Red Dress
Paul Cézanne · 1888 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Equestrienne (At the Cirque Fernando)
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec · 1887 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Cows Drinking at a Pool
William Hart · 1886 · Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Stacks of Wheat (End of Day, Autumn)
Claude Monet · 1890 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Street in Moret
Alfred Sisley · 1890 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1870s–1900s
Two Girls Reading in a Garden
Pierre-Auguste Renoir · 1890
