How do you describe your loved one using the language of flowers?

For the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s exhibition Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life, we created an interactive touchscreen activity that invites visitors to craft their own floral portraits and explore how these compositions were understood in early America. The activity focuses on the imagery and symbolism of Severin Roesen’s 1853 painting, Flower Still Life with Bird’s Nest.

Visitors first choose personal traits ranging from trustworthy and big-hearted to introspective and lucky in love. Based on their selection of traits, a custom floral bouquet is constructed, which can then be shared with friends and family through email. Through the visitor’s personalized bouquet the activity provides visitors with an interpretive framework for understanding the composition and design of still life paintings and bringing a fresh perspective to these masterpieces of American art.