Rayonist lilies 1913

Natalia Goncharova made this painting, Rayonist Lilies, using oil on canvas. Goncharova worked in many styles, but this painting typifies her engagement with Rayonism, which she co-founded. This approach was all about the materials of light and space. Here, the inherent qualities of oil paint – its viscosity, its capacity for blending, its luminosity – are put to dazzling effect. It’s all about color and form. See how she has used brushstrokes to build up layers of paint, creating a sense of depth and texture? The lilies seem to burst forth from the canvas, radiating energy in every direction. There’s no evidence of industrial processes, nor even highly specialized skill; the artist has kept the mode of production very close at hand. In doing so, she elevates the act of painting, reminding us that the most profound artistic statements can be made with simple materials and direct labor. This challenges the idea that art must be rarefied or removed from everyday experience. Instead, it can be a vibrant expression of the world around us, made by human hands.