Lilac. 1915 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

This is a still life oil painting titled Lilac from 1915. The artist captures a luxurious bouquet of lilacs in various shades of purple and pink, dramatically arranged in a large glass vase. The lilacs, depicted with thick, expressive brushstrokes, dominate the upper half of the canvas, their delicate blooms rendered with vibrant, textured impasto.

To the left of the vase sits an ornate ceramic pitcher, its dark blue surface adorned with a striking gold patterned glaze. Beside the pitcher, two bright yellow lemons lie on the white tablecloth, their smooth, rounded forms contrasting with the soft textures of the flowers.

To the right of the vase, two glass objects are present: a dark, round-bodied bottle with a narrow neck, and a vibrant green glass cup with a yellow rim. These elements, along with the window with its grid-like panes in the upper left, suggest an indoor setting, likely a domestic interior bathed in natural light. The background is dark and somewhat indistinct, allowing the brightly lit objects in the foreground to stand out. The tablecloth, rendered with dynamic strokes of white, blue, and violet, further adds to the play of light and shadow.

The paintings subtexts can be interpreted in several ways:

• Sensory Experience and Beauty: The painting is a celebration of the ephemeral beauty of flowers, particularly lilacs, which are often associated with spring, love, and renewal. The artists focus on capturing the texture and color of the blooms invites the viewer to engage with the sensory richness of the scene.
• Luxurious Domesticity: The presence of the ornate pitcher, the fine glassware, and the arrangement of flowers suggests a scene of comfort, affluence, and cultivated taste. It evokes a sense of a well-appointed home filled with beauty.
• The Passage of Time: The title Lilac. 1915 anchors the painting in a specific historical moment. Given that 1915 was during World War I, the serene and beautiful subject matter could be seen as a deliberate focus on enduring beauty and moments of peace amidst turmoil, offering a form of escapism or a reminder of what is worth cherishing.
• Artistic Exploration: The energetic brushwork and bold color choices indicate an artist engaged in exploring expressive techniques. The way light is handled, particularly how it filters through the window and reflects off the glass objects, showcases a keen interest in capturing optical effects. The painting is not just a depiction of objects but also an exploration of the art of painting itself.