Blossoming Almond Branch in a Glass (1888)

Blossoming Almond Branch in a Glass (1888)
One of my favorite still life subjects of Van Gogh, the cut branch in a glass, I ran across this one with the book behind creating a complicated compositional element. Note also the use of complementary colors, red and green, creating a vibration in the painting.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

George Frederick Watts

Happy Birthday George Frederick Watts!! Englishman born in 1817, Watts painted primarily portraits and historical allegories (symbolic works describing love, death, chaos, etc). He studied at the Royal Academy and after winning a mural design contest, traveled to Italy on the prize money, to work there for a time. He returned to Britain to stay, earning his living by painting portraits. The allegorical work pictured today is Hope, showing a young woman sitting atop the earth playing a lyre with only one remaining string.


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