Alfons Karpinski (1875 Rozwadów - 1961 Kraków), Florists - triptych, 1925.

oil, canvas, 33.5 × 81.5 cm (merged triptych)
signed and dated in triplicate: left part - p. d.: "a.karpiński/25", middle part - l. d.: "a.karpiński 25", right part l. d.: "a.karpińaki 25"

"When spring comes," says Karpinski, "every few days I buy bunches of roses, which I can't do without outright. They are a school of color for me. To their subtle tones I owe a great deal. No one will believe how many subtle shades and halftones fit into a single rose flower. On the surface one doesn't even see it. Only when one begins to paint does one perceive how great is the scale of tones and halftones that make up the rich robe of this royal flower. It's also with true passion and special concern that I devote my time to the study of flowers. And this has a double meaning for me, because the study of flowers helps me a lot in female portraiture. For let's not forget what a portrait of an exquisite lady is. In addition to natural charm or beauty, how much art, care, whims and fashion moods a woman's nature requires."
Quoted after M. Bartoszek, "Alfons Karpiński 1875-1961", Sandomierz - Stalowa Wola 2003 [cat.], p. 28.