Flowers in the Window 1922

Konstantin Gorbatov painted Flowers in the Window using oil paint on canvas. The thick application of paint gives a tactile quality to the scene, particularly in the vibrant blooms dominating the foreground. Note how the artist manipulated the viscous medium to capture the light filtering through the petals. The textured brushstrokes create a sense of depth and movement, drawing you into the bustling street beyond. Consider how the choice of oil paint, a relatively accessible material by the late 19th and early 20th century, allowed Gorbatov to convey a sense of everyday life with such immediacy. It speaks to the democratization of art, where scenes from daily life become worthy subjects. The painting has a sense of labor and time, contrasting with the fleeting moment it depicts. Looking at Flowers in the Window, we recognize the importance of materiality and making in understanding art's social and cultural significance. It is a testament to the idea that artistic value lies not only in subject matter, but in the skillful manipulation of humble materials.