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Flowers in a Pitcher

Fidelia Bridges

1874

watercolor

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Floral

Dominant colour

Flowers in a Pitcher is a 1874 watercolor by Fidelia Bridges, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Fidelia Bridges
When & what style?: 1874 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting shows a simple scene: a clay pitcher with a wide belly and a narrow neck, sitting on a flat surface. The pitcher holds green leaves and delicate pink and white flowers spilling over the sides. The background is a plain, light brown color that makes the colors of the flowers and leaves stand out. The artist used loose brushstrokes to capture the light and texture, skipping some details to focus on the overall look. The brown paper background is unusual—it’s not white like most watercolors, which adds a warm, earthy feel. Try looking up watercolor to see how artists use thin layers of paint to create light and depth.