Bouquet 1935

Cyprián Majerník made this gouache painting, Bouquet, sometime in the first half of the 20th century. The approach is all about the process, you can see how the colours have been laid down in these very fluid, instinctive gestures. The material aspects of the work are really singing here. The paint is applied thinly, almost like watercolour, giving it a translucent quality that lets the light through. You can see the strokes of the brush, particularly in the background and foliage, and I love how he lets the paint drip in places. Look at the petals of the flowers, they're built up from overlapping layers of colour, creating depth and texture, and how the leaves are just these spontaneous swoops of green. It reminds me a little of Bonnard, but with a slightly rawer, more immediate feel. Like a quick sketch, capturing a fleeting moment of beauty. It's a great example of how art can be about capturing a feeling or an impression, rather than just representing something realistically.