Gilder Palmer Family Archive
Charcoal Sketch — Water Lily
By Helena de Kay Gilder, in the style of John La Farge
- Artist: Helena de Kay Gilder (in the style of John La Farge)
- Medium: Charcoal pencil
Family Art Historian
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This graceful charcoal sketch by Helena de Kay Gilder pays tribute to the refined botanical studies and spiritual romanticism of her close contemporary, John La Farge. Rendered with quiet precision and a lyrical line, the drawing captures the serene elegance of a single water lily — a symbol of purity, reflection, and transience. The piece stands as both homage and expression — an intimate botanical meditation that reflects Gilder's deep connection to nature, form, and the visual poetry that defined her artistic legacy.
