Peonies 1901

Picasso painted these peonies, with oil on canvas, at some point in his life; we’re not sure exactly when. What strikes me is how the creamy whites and soft reds of the flowers seem to sit above that almost cartoonish green vase. You can really see Picasso’s hand in this painting. The brushstrokes are so immediate, and the paint has this thick, luscious quality. It’s like he’s sculpting with the paint, building up the forms of the flowers and the vase with these bold, confident strokes. Look at the way he’s handled the background, all those swirling greens and blues, it creates this vibrant, almost shimmering effect. I can't help but think of artists like Van Gogh and Cézanne, who were also obsessed with capturing the essence of everyday objects through paint. Art is an ongoing conversation, you know?