The artwork titled “Amaryllis” is a striking example of the Fauvist movement, masterfully executed by artist Piet Mondrian in 1910. This watercolor painting, which measures 49.2 x 31.5 cm, features the vibrant depiction of a flower, a common subject within the genre of flower painting. As an early 20th-century creation, the artwork embodies the vivid coloration and emphasis on painterly qualities which are characteristic of Fauvism. Currently, “Amaryllis” is housed within a private collection.
In “Amaryllis,” the viewer is presented with a bold composition that centers on the red Amaryllis flower displayed prominently against a uniform blue background. The painting exhibits a central stem that rises vertically from a translucent blue vase, giving way to two bright red blooms that are rendered with expressive strokes and vivid contrasts. The artwork demonstrates an interplay of color, with the blue of the background and vase serving to enhance the red hues of the flowers, thereby exemplifying the Fauvist penchant for strong chromatic juxtapositions. Mondrian’s brushwork in the petals and leaves adds to the dynamism of the piece, and subtle highlights provide a sense of depth and texture to the otherwise flat color fields.
Overall, the watercolor conveys an intensity of expression and an almost abstract quality, despite its representation of a natural subject, indicating Mondrian’s interests which later evolved into pure abstraction.