Girl in flower garden

Collection Vullers, Brussels

This intimate canvas showcases Claus' virtuosity as a pioneer of luminism, with a sublime balance of light, colour and emotion. The small format is exceptionally provided with a careful and full signature in red, a rare detail that emphasises the value and authenticity of this gem.

The Girl in Flower Garden captures a dreamy moment in the lush flower garden of Villa Sunshine, Claus' home base. The young girl, presumably a neighbourhood daughter, exudes a universal innocence. The colourful flowers in the background symbolise vitality and hope, while Claus' signature light treatment gives the work an ethereal quality.

The contrast between the subdued grey tones of the girl's clothes and the colourful explosion of flowers in the background reinforces the focus on youthful innocence and gives the work a special layering. The painting demonstrates Claus's ability to elevate the mundane to the sublime and couple his technique with emotional depth. The work embodies Claus's love for the Flemish countryside and the life stages of country people.

The picture plane of Girl in flower garden is dominated by the figure. The focus of the painting is on a youthful stage in the life of the rural man. The artist evokes the power of life with the blooming colourful, flowering flower garden in the background. The colourite Claus uses here is hopeful and optimistic. The girl looks dreamily ahead. In the 1890s, Claus depicted type figures symbolising the life stages of the landsman.