Single Dahlias

About this work

This painting shows a cluster of bright red and purple dahlias with green leaves and stems. The flowers are painted in loose, quick brushstrokes, with some petals looking almost three-dimensional. The background is a soft, pale green, blending into a light wash. The artist used watercolor, letting the colors mix right on the paper for a natural, slightly blurred effect. The dahlias aren’t perfectly detailed—they feel alive, like they were painted from real life. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.