“Red Azaleas,” a watercolor on paper by Mikhail Vrubel, created around 1886 in Kiev, Ukraine, exemplifies the Realism art movement. This flower painting, measuring 24 by 15 cm, is part of the collection at the Museum of Russian Art (Tereshchenko Museum) in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The artwork showcases the delicate and intricate beauty of azalea flowers. Vrubel employs a muted yet rich color palette that contrasts the earthy redness of the blossoms with the deep greens of the leaves. The soft, fluid strokes of watercolor create a sense of natural grace while emphasizing the texture and form of the flowers. The background, washed in subtle shades, further accentuates the detailed and lifelike depiction of the azaleas. Overall, the piece reflects the artist’s mastery in capturing the essence of florals, rendering them with both realism and an ethereal, almost transcendental quality.
