Fiori 1952

Giorgio Morandi created this still life painting, Fiori, with oil on canvas. Imagine Morandi in his studio, carefully arranging these flowers, maybe they’re from his own garden. See how he’s built up the paint in layers, creating a soft, almost hazy effect. There’s a muted palette of grays, browns, and creams, with just a hint of color in the flowers themselves. The brushstrokes are gentle, almost caressing the canvas. I wonder what he was thinking about as he painted, what was his state of mind? There's a sense of quiet contemplation. In terms of his wider practice, he seems to always be striving for a sense of harmony and balance in his compositions. And that shadow! It reminds me of a similar use of light and shadow of the early Renaissance painters. It’s like all artists are constantly talking to each other through time. It is beautiful and simple and somehow, a bit sad.