086 'LILIES'.
By Frederick Morgan (1856-1927)

These cascading, pure white trumpeting blooms - with such intoxicating aroma, the towering upright stems and compelling powers that draw us near, make the lily into a one of the most incredible flowers known to us.

From days of sweet childhood memories, when staring up in awe to these giants, we would all be entranced by their majesty. But how could anything just be so beautiful?

Perhaps they are saying something to us which we we really do need to listen to? Are they here to set an example to all with a style we should live up to? Lily- white is accepted as purity itself. Each individual stem stands upright and tall, proud even. Is this why we admire its style? Is this how we should proceed along the path of life? Yes this is the probably the example we would like to set ourselves yet know how impossible it is to live up to.

The artist here has depicted a little child who has yet to learn what difficulties lay ahead. This age of innocence is even more cherished when strong affection is mixed with nostalgia. Is our love is of a young child even stronger when we reflect on their gullibility? They believe all that they hear and see. It is a world where no falsehoods lie, nor deceit, nor envy, nor any of such things which only time will introduce.

The moral, and probably the message of the artist here, is that we should be reminded of this brief episode as frequently as possible, lest we forget that the power of influence is entrusted to our own words and deeds toward the innocent. That example is not just to be observed, but emulated. The lily signifies so much and should always be revered for an ideal that we too ought display as often as possible.

These Mediterranean White Madonna Lilies are one of the oldest varieties of this fabulous genus. Was this why the Fleur-de-Lis (Flower of the Lily), the Heraldic symbol on the French Royal Coat of Arms, was used to demonstrate an example of such purity?

Frederick Morgan followed in his father's footsteps as a very talented artist. Both enjoyed painting children at play and both were exhibitors at the R.A.