So lovely and so brief. I was afraid, going away for a few days, that I might miss the peonies, but here they are – radiant. For a moment.
I look forward every year to their appearance in our garden.
The French artist, Jacques-Emile Blanche, painted peonies a
few times. These delicious “Piviones ivoires” of 1919 were given by him to his
friend, the Australian portrait photographer, H Walter Barnett. He in turn sold
the work to the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.
I wonder: is it ever on display?

