Lelies 1873 - 1932

Wilhelmus Johannes Steenhoff made this watercolour painting, "Lilies", which now lives at the Rijksmuseum. It’s interesting, because the artist seems to be using a lot of transparent layers that make the artwork feel more like a wash of light, rather than a detailed representation of the lilies themselves. I can imagine the artist working outside, quickly capturing the essence of the lilies before the light changed too much. The lilies appear ghostly and slightly translucent, emerging from a hazy background, which makes me think about the ephemeral nature of beauty. The petals of the lilies are suggested with delicate strokes of white and pale yellow, giving them a luminous quality. I wonder if Steenhoff was interested in capturing the subtle nuances of light and color in the petals, rather than focusing on the precise botanical details. I feel these painters are always in conversation with each other, each riffing off the last, building on it and creating something new! Every artwork builds on another, even without the artist knowing. This watercolour painting offers a glimpse into Steenhoff’s vision, inviting us to contemplate the fragile beauty of these flowers and the fleeting nature of time.