Yellow Roses in a Carafe 1896

Menso Kamerlingh Onnes created 'Yellow Roses in a Carafe', sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, using oil paints. These were of course industrially manufactured, a far cry from the Renaissance artist grinding his own pigments. But what’s most striking here is the handling of the paint itself. Thick, expressive strokes bring the roses to life, capturing their delicate form with visible texture. The glass carafe and vase are depicted with an almost abstract quality, the paint suggesting their transparency and the way light refracts through them. Look at the way the brushwork varies, from the soft blending of the petals to the sharp, defined edges of the glass. The loose application, full of impasto, is really the point. It conveys a sense of immediacy, as if the artist was capturing a fleeting moment, seizing the opportunity to paint a lovely bouquet. This painterly approach elevates a common domestic scene, transforming it into a study of light, color, and the expressive potential of oil paint. It reminds us that even the most traditional materials can be used in innovative ways, bridging the gap between representation and pure abstraction.