Little girl with blue flowers 1890

Joan Brull painted 'Little girl with blue flowers', at the height of the Symbolist movement. Brull, a Catalan artist, was working in a period where artists were turning inward, exploring the realms of dreams and the psyche. Looking at this painting, you might ask yourself, who is this girl? Her gaze meets ours, and we are invited into her world. The blue flowers, scattered in her hair and on her dress, give the painting a sense of melancholy. In the late 19th century, childhood was often sentimentalized. This piece does not escape this cultural tendency. Yet, there is a subtle sense of unease here, a delicate balance between innocence and something more complex. Brull challenges us to look beyond the surface, to consider the inner lives of his subjects. The painting is a reflection of the cultural moment, but also a deeply personal and intimate portrayal of girlhood.