Emil Nolde

Emil Nolde is famous for his watercolour paintings of all different kinds of flowers. His impressive garden in Seebüll, which he started cultivating in the mid-1920s, served as a source of inspiration. The garden was filled with different plants in bright colors: dahlias, tulips, irises, bellflowers, and—of course—poppies. The bright red poppy was a particular favorite of his, often appearing in his artworks. In this particular watercolor, Nolde chose a bright pink background instead of a contrasting color to elevate the red flowers. This combination of colors creates a harmonious flow, unifying the composition. By focusing on a close-up view, he intensifies this effect, avoiding a more traditional perspective or composition. With expressionist brushstrokes, Nolde shows the flowers from all sides, letting colors flow into each other, blurring the boundaries between subject and background. The Japanese paper used for this artwork adds a unique surface texture, creating a three-dimensional effect. The handmade paper appears partially transparent, mimicking the organic and delicate nature of the flowers. Nolde's technique of saturating the paper with water blurs the distinction between front and back, drawing the viewer into the flower garden and inviting them to linger and enjoy the beauty.