For flower lovers like me, there’s no denying that my interest moves me further than simply putting a vase on the table. I adore them everywhere from the bedding sheets, to the wallpaper, from the patterns on teacups to the roses stitched on my dishtowels.
I love them everywhere!
One of my favorite areas to study and appreciate horticulture is from an artist’s point of view, particularly within oil paintings. Lucky for me, I live within a city that provides a multitude of opportunities to appreciate art! The MFA, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Decordova Sculpture Museum (who also cultivates their own live gardens on the property as an extra bonus) are only a few of the magnificent locations hosting beautiful floral artwork upon their walls. And the best part is, no matter where your tastes lie, there’s something for everyone so the question remains, which type of creative style appeals to you?
When looking at my own preferences in selecting painting that are thematic after the world of flowers and gardens, it’s an easy choice. Vincent Van Gogh captured my heart on his canvas several times over and the reasons are quite simple; his use of bold and bright color, the implementation of oils that made images almost lifelike and his coincidental subjects all being some of my favorite varieties. The quirky yet brilliant artist had affection for wild flowers and scenery embodying fields of poppies, iris and most popularly, sunflowers. Van Gogh chose to use flowers in his paintings so often that there very few void of a simple stem or full arrangement. With the exception of “The Bedroom”, it’s hard to find an example of created by him that didn’t reflect his love for vibrant blooms.
But that’s me.
So let’s discuss next…. who are you?
Does Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Blue Morning Glories” sweep you off your feet or maybe Monet’s “Water Lilies” shake you up a bit?
Here a few of the highest regarded paintings, which reflect these infamous artists adoration for pretty petals. Does one of these speak to you?
Renoir - Roses In A Pot
Matisse - Pot of Geraniums
Evening Flowers - Picasso