In Chrysalis I, Stamos depicts the emergence of a butterfly from its protective chrysalis, a moment of transformation found in nature. The curving shape in the center gestures to the capsule created by the caterpillar, and the golden form represents the butterfly. The green shapes refer to the leaves of the tree to which the pupa is attached, and the thin, vigorous brushstrokes on the canvas suggest the activity of the butterfly’s wings attempting to activate its release.

Stamos found inspiration in the nineteenthcentury debate over the science of nature. Darwin’s theories of evolution and the idea of “natural theology”—in which elements of the mystery of creation remained prominent—fascinated him as a young adult. For Stamos, the truths of life transcended rational discourse, and the metamorphosis of organisms like the butterfly helped illuminate the fundamental mysteries of our natural world.