Réne Beauclair's rendition of the Centaure Nigra, an herbaceous plant with a showy head belonging to the same genus (Centaurea) as the cornflower, or bachelor's button, is a stunning example of Art Nouveau. Though many patterns of this style display a decided asymmetry, this perfectly balanced design with its stylized botanical motif and sensuous curving lines also qualifies as Art Nouveau. Centaure Nigra was originally published in a portfolio in both France and Germany. The color values in the printed version, which featured a dark flower against a light circle on dark ground, were reversed in the manufactured fabric.