“Flowers are the splendor of nature; they are fragile and fleeting. A bouquet fades, but I try to capture the moment when it is at its most beautiful. I am enchanted by this, the beauty that nature creates, how flower petals sometimes seem as though they’ve been painted. It’s almost as if they are already a work of art before I capture them with my camera.”
Iris has always had a fascination with 17th-century paintings. As a child, she was captivated by the splendor of these works with their stately atmosphere, bowls of fruit, richly arranged bouquets, and the refinement of lace, pearls, and silver. Her work is a tribute to the old masters. She tries to create the effect of a painting through photography, paying attention to every detail. Just as the old masters captured light, color, and texture with each brushstroke, Iris does this in her photography. In her work, she bridges the past and present, moving from a 17th-century painting to a contemporary medium—photography.
DutchessDeeply hidden behind the dunes in The Hague lies the enchanting lush garden of Eveline de Heij. Here, primarily native plants thrive that have been flourishing in our region since the last Ice Age. For the work “Dutchess”, Iris Gonzalez had the privilege of working with flowers from this beautiful garden. With these, she created a painterly still life where native beauty takes center stage. Each element in the composition contributes to the enchanting symphony of these flowers. With prominent roles for the Black Elder, Ox-eye Daisy, Cow Parsley, Valerian, Money Plant, Field Sage, and Honeysuckle. This work also transports you back to the 17th century. The careful arrangement and play of light and dark evoke a sense of nostalgia and invite viewers to enjoy the natural wonders that have adorned our landscapes for centuries.
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