Bettina and the Botanical Garden Poster

Jean painted this illustration for her children’s book, “Bettina Creates a Garden,” because an image was needed to portray Bettina the Rabbit looking toward the entrance of her botanical garden. What developed was the creation of a distinct symmetrical design combined with all the joy and playfulness of an illustration. Jean’s love of symmetry was inspired by the Italian Renaissance painter Piero della Francesca who creatively blended perspective and geometry when painting architecture, landscapes and people. His particular use of symmetry often added a touch of humour and lightness to rather serious paintings and frescoes. In this painting Jean combines, alongside her much-loved symmetry, other passions including her interpretation of a bird of paradise [in the left-hand corner], Bettina, bees and her black cat, as usual hidden in the foliage.