Morning at Laguna 1935

Charles Reiffel made Morning at Laguna with visible brushstrokes that capture the scene's raw energy. The material reality of this painting is pretty striking. Reiffel's handling of paint is so direct. It's like he's wrestling with the ocean's texture, trying to pin down its constant motion with these thick, juicy strokes of blues and greens. Notice how the paint seems almost sculptural, especially in the rocks in the foreground. Each dab and swirl feels intentional, building up a surface that's both rugged and luminous. There’s a sense of immediacy, like he’s working en plein air. This piece makes me think of Winslow Homer. Both artists share a love for depicting the power and unpredictability of the sea, with a similar commitment to realism tempered by subjective experience. Ultimately, Morning at Laguna is less about capturing a specific scene and more about the dialogue between the artist and the elements.