Vase with lilies 

Nina Arbore’s “Vase with Lilies” captures a fleeting moment of beauty with paint on canvas. Arbore was a Romanian artist whose life was deeply entwined with the socio-political currents of her time. As a woman artist in the early 20th century, Arbore navigated a world where the art scene was largely dominated by men. Her choice of subject matter—a vase of lilies—might seem conventional at first glance, but through her expressive brushwork and bold use of color, Arbore infuses the still life with her own unique perspective. The lilies, rendered in vibrant reds and oranges, seem to pulsate with life against the muted green backdrop. It's as if Arbore sought to capture not just the appearance of the flowers, but their very essence. Arbore's flowers stand as a testament to resilience and beauty. She reminds us that even in the face of adversity, there is always room for hope and creativity.