Iris

Iris, 1991 lithograph by R.C. Gorman, showcases a kneeling woman in quiet repose, her head tilted back slightly in a posture of peace or surrender. Her dark hair pulled back into a neat bun, her facial features composed and serene, she embodies Gorman’s signature eloquence of simplified form. The artist employs soft blue-gray watercolor-like washes alongside careful line work to suggest her form against a luminous white ground. Her bare shoulders and simplified torso convey vulnerability and acceptance. The minimal palette of skin tone, blue accent strokes, and grey tones creates an atmosphere of introspection and calm. This work demonstrates Gorman’s ability to convey deep emotional states through restrained means. Essential for collectors of Gorman’s meditative figure works, minimalist lithographs, and works exploring inner peace and spiritual contemplation.