FLORAL ARRANGEMENT WITH ROSES 

Marjorie Acker Phillips made this intimate still life of roses, in oil paint. Phillips was a white woman artist working in the mid-20th century, a time when the art world was dominated by men. Her choice of subject matter, a floral arrangement, might seem traditional, but look at the way she renders it, and you can see that it diverges from typical, conventional representations. She doesn't just depict the flowers' external appearance; she captures their essence, energy, and vitality. The roses are shown in a range of colors and phases of bloom, which imbues the composition with movement and depth. Phillips developed a unique style by embracing modernism, while still incorporating elements of impressionism and realism. Her work reflects a certain sensibility, one that valued personal expression and the ability of art to communicate deeper truths about the world and oneself. In the context of her time, Phillips's artistic perspective provided a unique voice, demonstrating the changing roles of women in the arts and culture.