#55380 Belgium

The composition centers around a small bouquet of flowers arranged in a glass vase. The arrangement is densely packed, with blooms in varying stages of decay and color – ranging from deep crimson and burgundy to faded yellows and ochres. These hues are rendered with visible brushstrokes, contributing to a sense of immediacy and textural richness.
The background is entirely dark, almost black, which serves to isolate the floral still life and intensify its visual impact. The limited light source appears to originate from above and slightly to the left, highlighting the petals’ surfaces and casting deep shadows that obscure the lower portion of the vase and some of the foliage. This creates a dramatic contrast between illuminated areas and those shrouded in darkness.
The flowers themselves are not depicted with botanical accuracy; instead, they are rendered as expressive forms, their shapes simplified and abstracted. The drooping heads and wilting petals suggest a theme of transience and the inevitable passage of time. Theres an underlying melancholy conveyed through this depiction of fading beauty.
The signature in the lower right corner – R. Bellis – provides a point of reference but does not alter the painting’s inherent qualities. The artist’s choice to focus on decaying flowers, rather than pristine blooms, suggests a contemplation of mortality and the ephemeral nature of existence. It is possible that the work intends to evoke feelings of nostalgia or a quiet acceptance of lifes cycles.