Box with Lid c. 1936

Max Soltmann's 'Box with Lid' is a painting with humble materials, probably made sometime in the 20th century. The color palette is earthy but also surprisingly vibrant, setting a warm, inviting tone. I'm drawn to the way the artist renders the floral design on the box. The forms are simplified, with a nod to folk art, yet there's an elegance in the way each stroke captures the essence of a flower or leaf. Look at the texture – you can almost feel the roughness of the canvas and the thinness of the paint. It's not about perfection; it's about the joy of making something. That smudge of white paint near the bottom feels almost like a deliberate gesture, a little rebellion against the neatness of the subject matter. You could see the influence of other artists who explored similar themes like Henri Rousseau. Soltmann's 'Box with Lid' reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation, a playful exchange of ideas across time.