Carnations

Between 1906 and 1908 carnations were his favourite floral motif – a chronicler even called him “le peintre aux oeillets” (“the carnations painter”). In the painting belonging to our collection (Carnations) the flowers are not an accessory: the artist looks at his motif “with the eyes of a landscapist”. Against a neutral but valued ochre background, the flowers set off in colour and light with shining purity, messengers of nature, carefully “portrayed” stars of the painting. To suggest closeness to nature, Luchian resorts to small clay pots – rural life is in perfect harmony with nature.