Mój ulubiony obraz - My Favourite Painting

One of my favourite paintings is 'Strange Garden' by the symbolist painter Józef Mehoffer. It was painted in 1903. The picture shows an idyllic scene in a garden on a bright sunny day. In the foreground one can see a naked child holding some flowers. Next to the child, a woman in a long deep blue dress and a blue hat is picking an apple from the tree. She is smiling at us .Behind them there is a peasant woman standing among the trees. She is wearing a red jacket and a white skirt. It is the middle of summer. Everyone is happy and relaxed.

Although the scene is painted in a realistic way, there is something extraordinary about it. A giant dragonfly is hovering above. Long garlands made of colourful flowers are stretching from one tree to another. Unnaturally strong light is shining on the child's body. I like this painting mostly because of its atmosphere full of mystery and suspense. I also like the colours.

[Joanna Nadolska]