infiorate

Infiorate is a verb meaning to decorate with flowers, especially by creating ground-level floral paintings or carpets. The term is derived from the Italian infiorare, which comes from fiore, meaning flower. In practice, infiorating involves planning a design and assembling natural materials—primarily flower petals, but sometimes seeds, bark, or other plant-based pigments—to form a temporary work of art on streets or prepared canvases.

The process typically starts with a sketch of the motif, followed by gathering and sorting petals by color. Artisans lay the materials onto a base, carefully layering colors to produce shading and detail. Finished pieces often depict religious scenes, floral motifs, or geometric patterns. Because the materials are perishable, infiorate works are ephemeral, displayed for a few hours or a day during a festival and then removed or composted.

Infiorate is most closely associated with Italian cultural and religious celebrations, notably Corpus Christi processions. Towns such as Genzano di Roma and Spello are renowned for their annual infiorate, which attract visitors and highlight local craftsmanship and community involvement. While variations exist in other regions, the practice remains a distinctive example of temporary, collaborative street art rooted in Catholic festal traditions.