Vase with Pink Flowers c. 1880 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this painting, "Vase with Pink Flowers," with oil on canvas, but it feels like he's playing with watercolors. There’s a real sense of immediacy in his brushstrokes, like he's trying to capture a fleeting moment. The texture is fascinating; the paint is applied in thin, almost translucent layers, allowing the canvas to peek through in places. Look closely at the blue decoration on the vase, Breitner uses thin washes to depict the birds, capturing a sense of movement. The pink of the flowers and the red on the books is so vibrant, especially against the muted background. There is real energy in the contrast between the detail of the vase, and the sketchy suggestion of a building at the bottom right. The loose, gestural style reminds me a bit of Manet, but with a Dutch sensibility. This painting feels like a conversation with the past, filtered through Breitner's own unique vision. It's a beautiful example of how art can embrace ambiguity.