Port of Hamburg 1928

Willy Schlobach's 'Port of Hamburg' is a painting made with visible brushstrokes and a soft colour palette. It’s a jumble of textures and colour. Look at how the surfaces seem to vibrate. Schlobach lays down paint with such freedom, and the dabs and strokes merge reality and dream. Notice, for example, the way he renders the water. It’s not just blue; it’s a mix of greens, purples, and even hints of red, creating a shimmer. The buildings, with their architectural structures, are given equal treatment, as are the ships. Everything melts into a unified surface of marks. This piece reminds me of a Turner seascape with a similar eye for light and fluidity. Ultimately, ‘Port of Hamburg’ is a testament to the notion that art is about seeing and feeling rather than just depicting. It’s a lovely, ambiguous, and ever-shifting visual poem.