This prestigious textile originates from France, produced circa 1906, and serves as a scholarly example of the bold, botanical naturalism that defined the high Art Nouveau period. Measuring 33 inches by 18 inches (84 cm x 46 cm), the piece is an original roller-printed cotton sample manufactured by the renowned Scheurer company in Mulhouse, Alsace. Acquired from an auction in Paris, the sample was preserved for over a century within an archival book, which has protected the remarkable saturation of its original pigments. While the fabric remains in excellent condition with two original selvedges, it displays authentic evidence of its history through small holes left by the binding staples used in its original professional mounting.
The visual narrative is dominated by large, expressive poppy blossoms that surge across a deep, smoky blue background. The blooms are rendered in a striking array of pink, white, and mauve, featuring intricate centers detailed in blue and yellow. These floral heads are supported by undulating, sage-green stems and stylized, ruffed leaves that exhibit the fluid, "whiplash" curves central to Art Nouveau design. The technical mastery of the Scheurer printing process is evident in the sophisticated tonal grading of the petals, which creates a three-dimensional, painterly effect against the matte, nocturnal field.