Bouquet of Flowers with an Ivy Branch 1909

Henri Rousseau made this still life painting, Bouquet of Flowers with an Ivy Branch, in 1909. Look at the way he’s built up those flowerheads, almost like fluffy pompoms, with little, choppy brushstrokes. It’s all about the process. The texture is everything here. Notice how Rousseau layers the paint to give each flower a unique personality. The coral-red blossoms, for example, have a feathery, almost ruffled quality. Then there are those daisies, so precise, they almost feel like paper cut-outs! And don’t miss that ivy branch trailing across the orange tablecloth. It's such a simple touch but brings a little bit of the outside world into the scene. Rousseau had an amazing eye and a totally unique way of putting things together. I’m reminded of Florine Stettheimer, who brings a similarly fresh, playful approach to the still life genre. Art is a conversation; each artist adds their voice to the mix!