Untitled
1938
oil
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
1938
oil
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
This painting shows a table with a few objects: a glass, a bowl of fruit, and a tall vase. Behind it, two figures stand—one with a pipe, the other with a hat. The colors are bright but flat, with big blocks of yellow, red, and blue. The shapes are simple, almost like cutouts, and the brushstrokes look rough and fast. The figures and objects don’t quite match up with reality—the vase leans too far, the table tilts. It feels like the artist was more interested in color and shape than exact details. Try looking up impasto next to see how thick paint can change a painting’s look.
