Detail of Painting on Altar Panel c. 1936

This detail of an altar panel was painted by Emery Gellert, but we don't know exactly when. The composition is a beautiful collection of flowers and grapes in pinks, reds, blues, and purples. The colors are layered and delicate, giving the painting a dreamlike quality. It’s pretty incredible to imagine Gellert carefully building up each layer, adding depth and richness to the composition. You can see each individual brushstroke, giving the painting an intimate and personal feel. I wonder what Gellert was thinking when he made this? Maybe he was thinking about love, hope, or faith. The painting reminds me of the work of Fra Angelico, who also used delicate colors and floral motifs to create a sense of spirituality. It is also a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, with artists inspiring and influencing one another across time. Painting is an embodied form of expression that embraces ambiguity, leaving room for multiple interpretations.