BOUQUET DE FLEURS 1930

Georges Valmier made this painting, 'Bouquet de Fleurs', with oil on canvas, although with its flat planes of color, it almost looks like it could be a collage. I love how Valmier embraces the materiality of paint, using a muted palette and simplified forms that make the image appear almost like a child's toy. Look at the way the colors interact; the red and green create a push and pull, while the blues offer a sense of depth. See that wavy brown line? It’s almost like a goofy grin, giving the bouquet a sly sense of humor. I love that the surface texture isn’t obscured, you can see all of the little bumps and imperfections of the canvas. Valmier reminds me a little of Stuart Davis, both playing with abstraction to make something that feels jazzy and joyful. It’s a testament to how painting can be both serious and playful, all at the same time.