White Iris

This work depicts a white iris, a flower that has long been cultivated in Europe, thanks to its mild climate and, above all, its many hilly areas.

The iris is a flower rich in meaning, deriving from its Greek name, which means "rainbow."

In fact, even in ancient Greece, this flower was a symbol of the goddess Iris, known as the messenger of the gods to mankind. Legend has it that the goddess Iris, moving between heaven and earth, created a rainbow, and this flower was associated with her because the shades of its petals sometimes resemble those of a rainbow. It symbolizes wisdom, hope, faith, courage, and nobility of spirit, conveying positive messages of trust, affection, and sincerity.

A symbol of positivity, hope, and communication, the iris is also associated with similar meanings in the modern language of flowers.

Indeed, giving irises means wishing to convey positivity and good humor to the recipient. The iris is a symbol of wisdom and sincerity because it is known as a flower that enhances communication.

The white iris, on the other hand, is a symbol of purity and is also commonly called the white lily.

Stones used: Oriental Alabastro, Lapislazzuli, Green from Arno River, Belgian Black Marble.

Year of composition: 2025

Size: cm 17x24

Artist: Leonardo Scarpelli

An original and authentic hand-made artwork created whith the antique technique of Commesso Fiorentino which is unique for Florence.

Commesso Fiorentino was born with Medici family, one of the most important families in Florence, in the second half of 1500.

The research of the stones is made by the mosaicist that must be able to choose from a rich and wide range of shades and veins: for this reason the artists personally search and collect the stones retracing the paths of the Medici researchers.

The processing starts by drawing the subject on adhesive paper, that is then cut into small tamplates that will be attached to the variegated shades of the stones following the visual instinct, the innate gift of the artist and his perfect knowledge of the materials. The shape of the little piece will be cut by hand with a chestnut, cherry or hazelnut wood bow and an iron wire that flows with abrasive powder and water. It creates a very precise and inclined cut to form the essential spaces to accommodate the glue, made by artisans with beeswax and pine tree resin. The different stones are previously glued onto a slate surface which acts as a support during the cutting and filing phase. The various pieces which form the composition are adjusted in shape with diamond files, glued together so that the joints are invisible, flattened and finally polished in order to create a perfect decorative harmony showing the colors of nature in all their radiance.