Artwork
Rote Blume (Κόκκινο λουλούδι)
Rote Blume (Κόκκινο λουλούδι) is an unspecified work on paper by Sotirios Michou. It dates from 1983 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus.
About this work
Michou used watercolor in a way that lets light shine through the petals.
This painting shows a single red flower in a simple glass vase.
Michou used watercolor in a way that lets light shine through the petals.
The background stays white, so the flower pops off the page.
You can see tiny brush strokes in the petal edges.
They make the flower look soft but also sharp at the same time.
This trick is called glazing—layering thin washes of paint.
If you like this style, look up more of Michou, Sotirios (1936-2010).
Overview
Rote Blume (Κόκκινο λουλούμι) is a watercolor painting by Sotirios Michou, featuring a solitary red flower in a simple glass vase against a white background, showcasing the artist's expressive use of the medium.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a single red flower, emphasized by the plain white background and transparent glass vase. The composition's simplicity may suggest a focus on the beauty of solitude or the everyday.
Technique & Style
Michou employs watercolor with visible, tiny brushstrokes on petal edges, achieving a dual effect of softness and sharpness. The technique of glazing (layering thin washes) allows light to shine through the petals, enhancing their translucency.
History & Provenance
Part of the MOMus-Museum of Contemporary Art's collection, this work falls within Michou's 'Flowers/Blumen' series. Created during a period when his style transitioned towards more expressive and mixed-media works, though this piece remains relatively traditional in medium.
Context
Within Michou's broader oeuvre (1960-2007), Rote Blume reflects an early to mid-career interest in straightforward, expressive subjects before his full incorporation of discourse and mixed media elements in later works.
Legacy
As part of Michou's catalog, Rote Blume contributes to the artist's recognized exploration of watercolor techniques and his contribution to contemporary Greek art, particularly in the representation of simple, powerful subjects.
Artist & collection
Museum
Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus
Continue through works from the same source collection.
