Sword-Lillies 1931

Petrascu seems to have made this painting, Sword-Lillies, with a trowel! The paint is thick, almost sculptural, isn’t it? I imagine him in the studio, flowers in front of him, but almost wrestling with the canvas. It’s a conversation, not a transcription. Look at the reds, whites, and pinks, almost fighting each other for space, while the greens stake their claim, thrusting upwards. The dark background isn’t empty; it’s a participant. It pushes the flowers forward, heightening the drama. It reminds me of other painters grappling with representation, like Courbet, Manet, even Soutine. There is a conversation happening between painters, a dialogue across time and geography. Painting isn’t about answers, it’s about questions. Petrascu isn’t just showing us sword lilies; he's inviting us into his process, his struggle, his joy in the materiality of paint itself. That's something I can relate to.