One Hundred Flowers
By Harold Feinstein

    The number of photographs in One Hundred Flowers is astounding. The colors contrast beautifully against the black background. It’s as breathtaking as the publisher claims, and more. Sydney Eddison’s introduction, “A Bee’s Eye View,” leads readers into the photographs and in the essay, “Engendered is the Flower,” A. D. Coleman talks symmetry, comparing Feinstein and Chaucer in the timing of their work.

     With each section there is a 3- to 6-page piece about the flowers in the photographs (White Flowers, Roses, Pansies, Poppies, Orchids, Irises, Sunflowers and Dandelions, Cosmos and Daisies, Floral Diversity, A Name for Every Flower). Some of the photos remind me of drawings in pastel oils, such as the doubled-flowered evergreen azalea on page 105, the bouquet of pink evergreen azaleas on page 107, and the large picture of a modern rose on 32-33. I can only imagine the modern rose photo hanging on my office wall. Absolutely beautiful.

      This book is huge. Place it on your coffee table and company will naturally gravitate to it. Any cultivator or artist will appreciate its ability to bring the conversation around to nature and art. My first thought was my daughter and her drawing class. This book can inspire many ways of sharing it. Be sure to look up all Feinstein’s floral books. They are well worth the effort.