Piccinelli was inspired by the purple Irises that bloom in the garden bordering his studio. The chromatic composition highlights the yellow/violet contrast characteristic of the Iris. He also made a discreet gradient in the mauve square in reference to the nuances of the flower.
Monet, Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keefe, David Hockney and Joan Mitchell painted Irises.
One of Joan Mitchell's most famous series is titled "Irises", produced in the 1980s. In these paintings, she explores the vibrant, energetic nature of irises through rapid, gestural brushstrokes.
Mitchell's irises are often depicted abstractly, eschewing realistic detail in favor of a more free and emotional interpretation. Flower shapes can be suggested rather than defined, leaving room for the viewer's imagination. The colors mix and overlap, creating dynamic and powerful compositions.