Vase with Peonies 1925

Nicolae Darascu made this painting of peonies in a vase with visible brushstrokes and a vivid, warm palette. I can imagine Darascu approaching the canvas, maybe starting with a light sketch, and then diving right in with thick applications of paint. I feel like the colors are fighting each other, like he’s building up the surface, letting the forms emerge gradually, with lots of variations in texture and color. The painting feels quite gestural, especially when you look at the individual brushstrokes. I can almost feel the movement of his hand as he laid down each stroke. And the paint is applied so thickly in some areas that it almost feels sculptural. I am sympathetic to the artist's endeavor; I know the push and pull that painting entails. There's a conversation happening between the flowers, the vase, and the background. I love the ambiguity of it all; it’s a little rough, but full of life.