Gladioli 1960

Lin Fengmian painted these Gladioli with watercolor, and I imagine him making many of these same marks over and over again! Look at the way the brushstrokes build up the petals. See how each dab of color seems to float and blend with the next, creating depth and texture. I bet Lin Fengmian felt like he was wrestling with the lightness and darkness in order to find a sweet spot where the flowers could almost exist. The way the paint has bled and feathered out across the surface is also really lovely, making the image soft and atmospheric. It makes me think about all the other artists who've looked at flowers, from Van Gogh to Georgia O'Keeffe, each trying to capture something fleeting and beautiful in their own way. Painting is this ongoing conversation, you know? Each artist adds their voice to the mix, inspired by those who came before, while creating something completely new.