Talk Edward Steichen an de Rittersporn Conference Paul Lesch & Thierry Helminger

Edward Steichen, a gardening enthusiast, saw nature and flowers as a source of artistic and personal fulfillment. As early as 1909, he began experimenting with the hybridization of delphiniums. This conference explores his connection to nature, featuring talks by Paul Lesch and Thierry Helminger.

Like his father Jean-Pierre, Edward Steichen was a true gardening enthusiast. For him, nature and flowers were a source of both artistic and personal fulfillment. However, his interest went far beyond the simple pleasure of cultivating a garden. Fascinated by heredity, he began experimenting with flower crossbreeding as early as 1909. This practice, particularly the cultivation and hybridization of delphiniums (known as Rittersporn in German), became one of his favorite pastimes and remained with him until the end of his life.

This conference explores the deep connection between nature and artistic creation through the perspective of Paul Lesch, Commissioner of the Edward Steichen Collections. Thierry Helminger, botanist and curator at the Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), will provide scientific insights into the Delphinium genus, with a focus on the Dauphinelle des champs, a native species now critically endangered. (This event will also mark a symbolic moment: delphiniums will be planted in front of the Péitrussdall Pavilion.)