Flowers 1843

Eugène Delacroix made this flower study with watercolor and pencil on paper. The artist’s quick strokes capture the essence of each bloom and create a sense of immediacy. Note the different colors used in the watercolor that add depth and dimension to the work, while the pencil lines emphasize the outlines of the shapes. The paper grain shows through the washes, adding a tactile quality to the piece. Delacroix was known for his expressive brushwork and interest in color theory. Here, he uses a limited palette to create a harmonious composition. However, it’s easy to forget that the pigments he employed came at the cost of a global trade system, predicated on exploitation and extraction. The casualness of this little painting belies the larger systems that made it possible. Ultimately, it’s the way these materials are handled that gives the work its character, and reminds us that ‘fine art’ is simply craft by another name.