Tenderness 1984

Ivan Marchuk created this dreamy painting with lots of little brushstrokes in a predominantly blue and white palette. I imagine the act of painting this, of starting with a light blue canvas, then building the form, adding more and more strokes. These delicate petals, they're not just white; they have pinks and blues dancing in them. It makes me think that Marchuk was feeling kind of peaceful, maybe a little melancholy? There's a real tenderness here, like the title says. Look at the way the flowers bunch together and how each one is unique! I like to think about the conversations artists have with each other across time, pushing each other, finding new ways to see and feel. Maybe you can feel it too?