Hollyhocks
1877
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1877
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting shows a loose, quick brushstroke of hollyhocks in pink and white. The stems and leaves are dark, almost black, while the petals fade into soft watercolor washes. The background is just a pale, plain sheet of paper—no extra details. The artist didn’t paint every leaf or petal perfectly. Some strokes are messy, like the paint was still wet when it was laid down. That’s how watercolor works—it bleeds and blends. Next, check out Victoria and Albert Museum to see more paintings like this.
