Rilke: Dansez l’orange (1/16) (The Sonnets to Orpheus) 

Maria Bozoky made this watercolor on paper, titled 'Rilke: Dansez l’orange,' though the specific date is unknown. Notice how the fluidity of the watercolor allows for transparent layering and soft edges, which Bozoky exploits to create a dreamlike atmosphere, almost as if the figure is emerging from a memory. The choice of watercolor as a medium also allows for a certain spontaneity in the mark-making, lending a sense of immediacy and freedom to the composition, particularly visible in the unrestrained swirling lines. The use of watercolor here departs from traditional applications of the medium for detailed rendering. Instead, Bozoky seems to be more interested in capturing the fleeting nature of movement and emotion, emphasizing the gestural quality of the brushstrokes over meticulous detail. The title references Rilke, suggesting an attempt to capture the essence of his poetry through visual means, focusing on the transient and ethereal qualities of the dance. Ultimately, this work shows the way Bozoky used the qualities of watercolor to convey an artistic expression that transcends conventional boundaries.