The artwork titled “Flowers and carpet (Pansies)” was created by the artist Paul Gauguin in 1880, in Paris, France. This piece was executed using oil on panel and is classified within the Impressionist movement. As a still life, this work displays Gauguin’s skill in capturing the essence of his subjects with the vivacious brushwork characteristic of the period. The artwork is currently housed within a private collection.
The artwork features a vibrant depiction of pansies arranged in a simple and modest vase. The flowers display a range of colors—deep purples and sumptuous yellows intermixed with hints of white. The intricacy of the petals is rendered with spontaneous brushstrokes, which is hallmark of the Impressionist technique that seeks to impart an impression of the subject rather than a detailed, realistic reproduction. Below the vase, the artwork shows a richly textured carpet or drape with myriad colors, including splashes of red, orange, and blue, creating a dynamic and almost abstract background. These elements come together on the panel to celebrate the transient beauty of flowers and domestic comfort, a theme that resonates with the Impressionist focus on everyday subjects.
