Week #49, Flower Still Lifes I

Untitled (Pink Hydrangeas), c. 1935, watercolor on paper, 14” x 11”.

Here we are in the last stretch of the year. As this is a most busy and hectic time for everyone, we will share some soothing still lifes of flowers with you over the next few weeks.

Dusti Bongé created her share of still life paintings and sketches early in her career. They were always of everyday items that happened to be around the house or on her table. In her case, these things often included fresh flowers from her own garden.

Dusti’s still life compositions, right from the start, reflect her unique visual approach to her immediate environment. Rather than carefully staged arrangements, her works capture their subject matter in simplified color palettes, at oblique angles, and against unexpected backgrounds.

This lovely watercolor of fresh hydrangeas is one of her very earliest still lifes. As such, it still shows remnants of a more classical approach. However, you can also see that Dusti already started to play with the prescribed ”rules” of representation. This bouquet is captured is a wonderfully free flowing way, the vase is positioned off center, the flowers are minimalist, and the brush marks are loose. The colors are used to give shape to the various elements, and the angle of viewing already shows signs of her soon to be favorite "bird’s eye" perspective.

Being from around 1935, she may very well have painted this when Arch Bongé was still alive. It is no wonder then, that he encouraged her to keep painting.

Today is #GivingTuesday. To all of you who are able to, please consider a gift to your favorite non-profit organization, or to those hurt by recent natural disasters.

If you would like to support our ongoing efforts to promote Dusti Bongé’s legacy, we promise you your contribution will be well spent. Meanwhile, we would also like to express our appreciation to all of you. Whether you visited the Foundation in person, or on our website, saw Dusti’s work in another museum, or engaged with us otherwise, we are so grateful for your continued interest and support!