Flowers in a Vase 1879 - 1909

Zacharie Astruc made this watercolor, Flowers in a Vase, sometime in the late 19th century. Astruc’s choice of watercolor gives the artwork a sense of immediacy. You can almost see him capturing the fleeting beauty of the blooms. Watercolor is a medium that demands speed and precision. Unlike oils, it doesn't allow for much reworking. The artist's hand is very present. But think too about the accessibility of watercolor at this time, versus the laborious process of oil painting. Astruc would likely have been working en plein air, or outdoors. His choice of a readily portable medium reflects an interest in capturing the natural world in an unmediated way. The sketch-like quality invites us to consider the artist’s process, and to see the beauty in the everyday. By valuing the process, we expand the boundaries of traditional art history, challenging distinctions between high art and craft.