Lalele Galbene 

Nina Arbore painted “Yellow Tulips” sometime in the 1930s, likely in Romania, using pastel on cardboard. This simple still life offers a window into the social and artistic climate of interwar Romania, a period marked by significant cultural shifts. Arbore, educated in the fine arts and deeply involved in social activism, brings a unique perspective to this traditional genre. The choice of tulips, a flower associated with wealth and status, set against a draped background, speaks to the complex relationship between art, commerce, and class. The painting is seemingly conservative but Arbore was a committed socialist. Scholars can investigate the intersection of artistic expression and political ideology during this turbulent era. By researching exhibition records, artists' manifestos, and contemporary social critiques, we can further unpack the many hidden meanings that lie beneath Arbore’s surface.