The Poppy Fairy
The Poppy Fairy (La Femme Papillon) c1888 by Spanish Painter Luis Ricardo Falero (1851 – 1896); and Duke of Labranzano was an oil on canvas painter that specialized in female nude portraits, mythological, oriental and fantasy themed artwork; and with an interest in astronomy incorporated celestial constellations in many of his artistic creations.
This is a fantasy portrait of a nude Poppy Fairy with golden yellow hair and colorful green, orange and yellow wings, that are almost as big as she is.
The fairy is wearing a very, very sheer see through white material around her waist and legs, and is flying or resting on plants that are larger than her in a garden filled with many poppies and other large plants; set against a blue-grey sky.
This is a retouched digital art old masters reproduction of a public domain image that is available as rolled canvas print online.
Info Below Derived Wikipedia.org
Falero was born in Granada and originally pursued a career in the Spanish Navy, but gave it up to his parents disappointment; as he decided to travel to Paris, where he studied art, chemistry and mechanical engineering.
During is studies in chemistry and mechanical engineering; he considered the experiments which he had to conduct too dangerous, thus leading him to focus his attention on painting alone.
As a result he became a student of French Portrait Painter and Orientalist Gabriel-Joseph-Marie-Augustin Ferrier (1847 – 1914). After Paris, he moved to London, where he continued his studies, and eventually settled.
Falero had a particular interest in astronomy and incorporated celestial constellations into many of his works, such as “The Marriage of a Comet” and “Twin Stars”. His interest and knowledge of astronomy also led him to illustrate the works of Camille Flammarion.
In 1896, the year of his death, Maud Harvey sued Falero for paternity. The suit alleged that Falero seduced Harvey when she was 17, first serving as his housemaid, and then his model. When he discovered she was pregnant, he dismissed her.
She won the case and was awarded five shillings per week in support of their child. Falero died at University College Hospital, London, at the age of 45.