Peonies and head of a woman 1887

John Peter Russell’s “Peonies and Head of a Woman” (1887) is an oil painting of a woman’s head partially obscured by a bush of blooming pink peonies, rendered with a loose brushstroke. The painting, now part of the National Gallery of Victoria’s collection, demonstrates Russell’s Impressionist style, which he developed during his time in France. The painting’s delicate brushwork and focus on light and color evoke a sense of nature's fleeting beauty and the intimate connection between the woman and the flowers.