Ascension - By Freeman Patterson

This little scene is an interesting one for me visually. The alternating bands of light and dark tone in the steps provide rhythm, because their spacing is so regular. By themselves, they would give an impression of formality and rigidity. However, the purplish Campanula flowers are not so evenly spaced, and the other flowers break up the visual regularity even more. So, the steps provide visual structure and the flowers, visual relief. Both are necessary for the final composition.
Can you imagine how much less interesting the situation will be when the blossoms have all gone, the plants died, and all the leaves have been dispersed by the wind?