KENNETH WEBB | En Fête
Oil on Canvas
25.5 x 30.5 cms / 10 x 12 inches
Signed Webb (lower right)
Kenneth Webb’s En Fête is a dazzling celebration of colour and form, embodying the expressive dynamism of contemporary floral art. This original oil painting reinterprets the classic still life, with a bouquet of vibrant, angular petals bursting from the canvas in an explosion of purples, blues, and greens. Webb’s use of abstraction and texture infuses the piece with movement and vibrancy, while the structured composition grounds it in a sense of harmony. A leading figure in 20th century British art, Webb’s distinctive style blends tradition with innovation.
Kenneth Webb’s En Fête is a jubilant explosion of form and colour, a work that embodies festivity in its purest visual expression. The composition centers around a structured yet lively floral arrangement, rendered in a mosaic-like flurry of vibrant hues. Squares of deep blues, purples, greens, and whites assemble into an abstract bouquet, radiating an energy that extends beyond the confines of the canvas. The rich purple vase provides a steady foundation, while the fragmented petals seem to dance above it, some even breaking free and floating into the surrounding space.
Set against a harmonious blend of cool tones—a lavender foreground, a crisp white dividing line, and a serene blue backdrop—the composition achieves both balance and dynamism. The interplay of structured geometric forms and the fluidity of colour placement creates a visual rhythm, much like music captured in pigment. The result is a piece that does not simply depict celebration but embodies it.
Webb’s technique is unmistakable. His use of impasto gives each stroke a sculptural quality, making the surface as much about texture as it is about colour. The layered application of oil paint adds depth, ensuring that light interacts with the work in a way that makes it ever-changing depending on the angle of view. His signature geometric fragmentation turns the traditional floral still life into something modern and electric, redefining form without losing its essence.
Colour is the lifeblood of this piece. The juxtaposition of cool and warm tones, the subtle contrast between saturated and muted hues, and the occasional presence of stark white create a composition that feels both precise and spontaneous. Webb’s mastery of abstraction ensures that En Fête retains its celebratory spirit while remaining refined and sophisticated.
