Dark background with weeping willows - Samarkand, oriental motifs by Émile-Allain Séguy

Reproduction of plate No. 11 Dark background with weeping willows from Samarkand , a collection of compositions in the oriental style made with stencils by Émile-Allain Séguy in 1920

In this poetic composition, Séguy creates a dreamlike landscape against a deep brown background. Weeping willows with undulating branches gracefully unfurl, their soft green leaves cascading toward stylized pools of violet-blue. Golden masses evoking clouds or hills punctuate the space, creating a harmonious rhythm. The artist demonstrates his mastery of the Art Nouveau style by merging natural elements and decorative abstraction. The repetition of the motif creates a sense of perpetual movement, while the contrast between warm and cool colors brings a mysterious depth to the whole. This plate evokes a dreamlike Japanese garden, where nature is sublimated by a sophisticated artistic vision. Its contemplative atmosphere makes it an ideal work for creating a peaceful and refined space.

Émile-Allain Séguy (1877–1951) was a French artist and designer who influenced the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements. He is best known for his portfolios of decorative motifs, particularly published in the 1920s, which had a considerable influence on the decorative arts of his time.