Lethe europea (Bamboo treebrown)

Butterfly painting “Bamboo treebrown” (Lethe europea) is full of delicate nuances, it is filled with many shades of ochre, orange, and brown, from very light to deep reddish ones. The whole painting is complemented by cold pink and dark deep purples. This composition is based on a limited colour palette, yet it is full of details and nuances. White spots shine amid the tangle of earth tones. It is a calm, static composition, yet hypnotizing, white lines running vertically through the delicate wings catch the eye, and dark eyes peek at the viewer with suspicion.

This painting catches the eye and urges the viewer to come closer, to appreciate the nuances and details. How often have you wanted to watch a butterfly’s wings shimmer in the sun? We know well that butterflies are skittish creatures, it is difficult to get close to watch them in concentration, and yet sometimes it happens that some decide to sit next to us, or even directly on our skin, we can look at this surprising creation of nature and suddenly an insect breaks off and is gone. In fact, there is no butterfly in the painting, only wings hung in the empty, vibrating space of paper, waiting motionless for our gaze.