Pivoines, Géraniums Et Lilas Blancs c. 1925

Maximilien Luce made this painting of peonies, geraniums and white lilacs with oil on canvas. The painting is all about gesture and touch; I love the way the brushstrokes almost dissolve into the forms, giving it that loose, dreamy feel. And speaking of dreamy, check out how Luce builds the colors. The thick daubs of oranges and reds on the geraniums create a kind of fuzzy texture, while the lilacs are lighter, airier. Notice the way he's dabbed little dots of white on them, like tiny clouds floating in the sky. It’s so easy to get caught up in trying to make things look real, but Luce reminds us that painting is its own reality, and he is just kind of playing with gobs of paint. I think of someone like Bonnard when I look at this. Both were masters of color and mood. It’s like art is just one long, crazy conversation across time. It makes you realize there's no right or wrong way to see things.