Lilies in a Vase

A charming mid-century still life depicting a loosely arranged bouquet of lilies and iris-like blooms gathered in a simple peach-toned vase, executed in oil onto board.

Set against a cool, softly worked blue-grey ground, the flowers rise elegantly from the vessel, their elongated green leaves creating a graceful sense of movement through the composition. A band of muted lilac beneath the vase provides a subtle grounding contrast and lends the work an unexpectedly modern touch.

Painted in a distinctly mid-century modernist style, the artist favours simplification and expression over botanical precision. The flowers are reduced to broad, angular shapes, while the vase and surrounding space are rendered with minimal modelling. The restrained composition and flattened perspective give the painting a quiet, almost contemplative quality.

The palette is particularly appealing, combining powdery blue-grey, soft white, cornflower and violet blue, sage and emerald green, dusty lilac, and warm peach and ochre. The cool background allows the white flowers to appear luminous, while the peach vase introduces warmth at the centre of the composition. Small touches of blue and lavender within the white petals beautifully tie the flowers into the surrounding palette.

Brushwork remains visible throughout, with loose, confident strokes giving the flowers and foliage their character. The petals are built from broad, layered applications of pale paint, creating gentle texture and highlights, while longer, more directional strokes describe the leaves and stems. The background is handled more softly, retaining subtle vertical and horizontal brush marks that give the otherwise quiet field a pleasing painterly depth.

This oil on board is presented in  a complementary gilt wooden frame, with stepped moulding and a narrow cream inner slip. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 50 x 40 cm (including frame)