Flowers 1913

Kmetty János, whenever he made this painting, used soft muted colours and gentle brushstrokes. I can imagine him, perhaps in his studio, carefully arranging the pots, maybe turning them slightly, considering the light. I love the way he's captured the weight of the blooms pulling the stems in one direction. The paint isn't too thick, but the texture of the canvas is still visible, reminding me of the handmade quality of art. The little blue vase sitting next to the flowerpots; it is as if he needed to add another element of colour to bring the whole thing together. It's a quiet composition, not too dissimilar to other still-life paintings, but here, the flowers, the objects, and the muted colours create such a mood. János, like all artists, was in conversation with the past, and the future, echoing the concerns and ideas of his peers and ancestors, and offering inspiration to those who will follow.