“Solstice of the Sunflower,” crafted by Paul Nash in 1945, is an exemplary piece of Expressionist art executed with oil on canvas. Nestled within the “Aerial Flowers” series, this landscape and flower painting finds its home in the National Gallery of Canada, situated in Ottawa, Canada.
The artwork depicts a surreal and vibrant landscape dominated by the presence of a massive sunflower juxtaposed against rolling green hills beneath a luminous sky. The sunflower, rendered in bold strokes and rich, warm hues, appears almost otherworldly, reaching toward a radiant sun engulfed in swirling patterns of light and color. The hills are gently undulating, painted in soft greens and yellows, which evoke a sense of natural tranquility. The overall composition combines the elements of the terrestrial with the celestial, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that captures the ephemeral beauty of nature at its zenith. Nash’s brushwork and use of color convey a sense of motion and vitality, imbuing the scene with both energy and serenity.
