Dahlien 1925

Christian Rohlfs made this expressionist painting of dahlias probably sometime in the early 20th century with oil paint. Looking at the blocky strokes of red against the grays and greens of the background, you can just imagine Rohlfs building up the image in layers, maybe squinting to get the colors just right. I wonder what he was thinking as he painted these dahlias? The textures in the painting feel really physical, like he was really digging into the paint. I love the way the red kind of vibrates against the darker tones, creating a sort of dance on the canvas. Notice how a dab of red becomes a petal, a leaf, or just a flicker of light. That’s the magic of paint. This painting, with its bold colors and tactile surface, reminds me of other artists who weren't afraid to get their hands dirty. All painters are constantly in dialogue, trading ideas and pushing each other forward, even across time and place. Ultimately, painting is about embracing the unknown and finding new ways to see and feel the world.