In his Fleur de Lys series of 1998–2000, Brian Clarke explored the graphic potential of the fleur de lys, a heraldic symbol closely associated with French royalty and frequently found in medieval stained glass. Comprising both individual square canvases and triptychs, the series presents fleur de lys motifs rendered in white calligraphic lines against black or vividly coloured grounds.

The earlier works in this series were first exhibited in the solo show Fleurs de Lys: Brian Clarke at Faggionato Fine Arts London in 1998, and were published in the accompanying catalogue.

Clarke continued to explore the fleur de lys in subsequent works, including his Fleur de Lys series of 2004 and later compositions such as Fragmented Fleur de Lys of 2007.