Vaas beschilderd met vissen en waterplanten c. 1915

This vase, decorated with fish and water plants, was painted by St. Lukas. Imagine the artist turning the vase around and around as they work, the fluid forms of fish and water plants growing organically on its surface. There’s a real sense of gentle movement and flow, like you’re peering into an aquarium. The colour palette feels subtle, using soft greens and blues that blend together like watercolour. I wonder if the artist had a fascination with marine life, or perhaps a love for the play of light on water? The way they've depicted the fish, with delicate brushstrokes, reminds me of Japanese Ukiyo-e prints. There's a shared sensibility in capturing the essence of a subject with minimal means. The repeating circular patterns at the base of the vase act like the substrate, grounding the aquatic life that grows upwards. Artists are always in dialogue with one another, drawing inspiration from different cultures and time periods. It's a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation.