Tulips and Peonies in Pitcher c. 1914 - 1915

William James Glackens made this painting of tulips and peonies in a pitcher, we don’t know when, but it was probably made with oil paint. The textures are so alive in this piece, aren't they? Look at how the strokes build up the flowers, thick in some spots and thinner in others, almost like you could reach out and feel the petals. The brushstrokes feel fast and direct, but they give form to the petals as soft and delicate, a balance of movement and stillness. And the colors, they're not just sitting there – they're mixing it up, vibrating against each other. Take the Peony at the top right, how the shades of pink and red are sitting alongside each other, creating a sense of depth. It’s like he's not just painting what he sees, but what he feels. It reminds me a little of Bonnard, the way he used color to create a kind of emotional weather.