Rose De Rescht, Old Rose

A cluster of pink roses swells at the top of this canvas, their petals piled on in thick, buttery strokes that catch the light. Scottish painter Alison McWhirter loves flowers, and here she lets the color do most of the talking. The blooms glow against a soft, creamy background, while their stems drift downward in loose, watery smears of green and rose. The whole thing has a slightly worn, dreamy feel, like a bouquet that has been quietly wilting in its vase for a few days.

The star of the painting is the Rose de Rescht, an old-fashioned variety loved for its rich pink flowers and powerful perfume. McWhirter tends to paint particular roses she admires, and she cares more about mood than tidy detail. Get close and the petals break apart into rough dabs and smudges. Back away and they gather into full, recognizable blooms. This is a modest subject painted with genuine tenderness, warm and unfussy without any need to show off.