Red Peony Painting Frame:Linen white a single bolt of lightning

a single bolt of lightning splits the gloom and strikes the dark sea

a tiny green sprig and a scatter of pale floating hearts hanging in the chilly air between them

A frozen lake and distant mountains stretch across the middle of the scene

warm background of amber and umber lets every petal catch the light and seem almost lit from within

sun-drenched intensity

Red Peony Painting Frame:Linen white a single bolt of lightningA single red peony opens in full bloom against a dark, almost theatrical background. Painted with rich oil like depth, its layered crimson petals catch the light at their ruffled edges while curling into deep shadow at the heart, where a cluster of golden stamens glows. Dark green leaves fan out below the flower, and a small unopened bud rests at the base, promising more to come. The chiaroscuro lighting lends the whole piece a sense of old master