Tulips and Statuettes 1919

Édouard Vuillard’s “Tulips and Statuettes” is a scene of quiet contemplation, a moment captured in paint. I can imagine Vuillard starting with a dark ground, building up layers of browns and ochres to create the shadowy depths of his studio. The statuettes loom in the background, their forms almost dissolving into the surrounding darkness. The brushstrokes are soft and suggestive, hinting at detail without ever fully resolving. The tulips in the foreground offer a burst of color, their delicate petals rendered in shades of red and pink. I can imagine Vuillard stepping back from the canvas, squinting his eyes, and making small adjustments, adding a touch of light here, a shadow there. It reminds me a little of Morandi, his pursuit of capturing the essence of everyday objects through subtle variations of color and tone. It's like they are both whispering secrets about the world around them, inviting us to listen closely.