Elizabeth V. Blackadder Original "Irises" 25 x 32"

Lot description

Elizabeth V. Blackadder (British, 1931–2021). Irises, 1990. Watercolor on paper. Art: 25 x 32 in. Frame: 33.5 x 41 in. Condition: Very good. Signed and dated lower left: Elizabeth V. Blackadder 1990. A delicate and refined botanical study by Elizabeth Blackadder, celebrated for her contemplative depictions of flowers, cats, and intimate interiors. Irises exemplifies the artist’s distinctive watercolor technique—light, translucent washes layered with precision to evoke both the fragility and quiet vitality of the natural world. In this expansive composition, a rhythmic arrangement of iris stems rises gracefully across the page, each bloom rendered with subtle tonal variation—from soft yellows and violets to muted pinks and pale blues. The generous scale enhances the immersive quality of the work, allowing each form to breathe within the composition while maintaining Blackadder’s signature sense of restraint and balance. Her sensitivity to negative space and refined draftsmanship reflect the influence of Japanese aesthetics that informed much of her mature practice. Blackadder, the first woman elected to both the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy of Arts, remains one of Britain’s most respected 20th-century painters. Her works are held in major collections including Tate and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. A strong, large-scale example from a sought-after period, this watercolor will appeal to collectors of modern British art and those drawn to quietly lyrical botanical subjects. Her original art is highly sought after. Expect to pay $5000 and up in a gallery! Provenance: From the estate of Moira McCracken, an international equine sales executive based in Georgia. She had a home of beautiful art. She was a lifelong equestrian, maintained a passion for animals. At her passing she owned four horses and six dogs. She was the widow of John McCracken who established IBM in Edinburgh, Scotland.