American artist Cy Twombly (1928-2011) devoted the years 2006 to 2008 to painting flowers — but what flowers! The depiction of blossoms and blooms might sound a bit placid, almost antiquarian activity. Until, that is, you have stood in front of a picture such as “Roses IV” (2008), on view in the exhibition “Cy Twombly: Paradise” at the Ca’Pesaro, Venice until September 22. These are huge floral Catherine wheels of paint, the size of targets, made with flaring brush marks of scarlet, purple, and yellow which drip streams of pigment — like blood — down the light blue background.
