Vase of Flowers 1923

Theo van Rysselberghe made this oil painting, Vase of Flowers, sometime around the early 20th century. The brushstrokes are so visible here; you can almost feel the energy of the artist as he built up the image. It’s all about the process, like each dab of paint is a thought or a feeling being worked through. Check out the way the colors interact. The blues and greens in the vase and leaves vibrate against the oranges and yellows of the flowers, making the whole thing sing. The paint looks thick and juicy; you can practically see the marks where van Rysselberghe loaded up his brush and laid it on the canvas. Notice the little white flowers spilling out on the left side? They're like a cascade of light, leading your eye into the heart of the bouquet. You can see a similar attention to light and color in the work of Pierre Bonnard, who was exploring similar ideas about capturing fleeting moments and sensations. Ultimately, this painting is about seeing and feeling and embracing the beauty of the everyday.