Václav Špála, 1885-1946
Bouquet, 1931
Oil on canvas
In the 1920s , the period influenced by Cubism in Václav Špála’s work ended. The artist then began to concentrate mainly on landscape and still life paintings, as well as bouquets, in which one colour tone prevailed. This exhibited work is an example of Špála’s favourite floral still-life motif, in which the artist’s painting style became established, with his work becoming inextricably linked with his characteristic colour palette dominated by royal blue. This was a defining feature of his backgrounds, as it enabled the colourful tones of the flowers to stand out (red poppies and bright yellow pinecones in this specific painting). Floral still life painting had a calming effect on the artist. As the Second World War loomed, the motif of flowers became stronger for him in his leaning towards the motif of life itself.
