Figs 1974

Avigdor Arikha made this painting, Figs, with oil on canvas. It's a still life, but it's really a study in light and shadow. The paint application is so delicate, almost dry brushed, creating a soft, matte surface. You can see the way Arikha layers the paint to build up the forms, especially in the figs themselves. Look at the way the light catches on the glass bowl, it's rendered with such precision, but also with a real sensitivity to the way light interacts with different surfaces. And the shadows! They’re not just dark areas; they have a life of their own, adding depth and weight to the composition. Arikha reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi, who also dedicated his life to painting simple, everyday objects. But where Morandi is all about subtle variations in tone and color, Arikha has a more tactile, almost sculptural approach to paint. Both painters invite us to slow down and really look.