The Big Turquoise
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"Blossoming Almond Tree", Vincent van Gogh, 1890; photo: public domain
Experiences

The Big Turquoise

Tomasz Wichrowski
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When Japan opened up to trade with the West in 1854, previously unknown works of art began to appear in Europe. Ukiyo-e, or “picture[s] of the floating world” were particularly popular in salons in France. Their simplicity and unconventional framing set them apart from classical European art and despite this (or perhaps because of it), European painters quickly began to try to emulate them. One of these was Vincent van Gogh.

In February 1890, during his stay in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, van Gogh painted one of his most famous works. Inspired by the Japanese genre, the painting, entitled Almond Blossom, was created for the newborn son of the artist’s beloved brother,

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Maria Prymachenko: An Artist for Our Times
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Maria Prymachenko: An Artist for Our Times

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She is Ukraine’s most famous artist. She painted, drew, decorated ceramics, and embroidered. Her designs have graced postage stamps and coins, and she remains an inspiration to artists and textile designers today. 

The world rediscovered Maria Prymachenko on February 27, 2022, when the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum (in Kyiv Oblast) had burned down following a Russian bombardment. Twenty-five of the artist’s works were inside, and local residents managed to rescue some of them. 

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