Béla Adalbert Czóbel, Still Life with Flower in a Vase 

Béla Czóbel made this watercolor still life, portraying a vase filled with flowers. Looking at the context of early 20th century Hungarian art, we can understand his use of modernism as an appeal for universalism in the face of growing nationalism and the rise of fascism in Europe. Czóbel joined the "Group of Eight" avant-garde movement in Hungary that aimed to represent the social reality of their time, and although this work is not explicitly social, it displays a rejection of academic conservatism. The loose brushstrokes, simplified forms, and emphasis on color over realistic representation align it with broader European trends of expressionism and Fauvism. To more fully understand this work, we can research the artist’s biography, the history of modernism in Hungary, and the specific cultural values of early 20th century Europe. Understanding such contexts gives greater meaning to the artwork.