Potok 1903

Maximilian Pirner conjured this painting, Potok, out of thin air and pigment. Look at how he teases out the figures in the water, almost like they're emerging from the mist of the medium itself. It's all about the dance between control and letting go. The colors here are muted, like whispers of greens and browns, making the scene feel both intimate and a little mysterious. The waterfall cascading over the figures, painted with such delicate strokes, could almost be tears or strands of light. I can see how the paint's been built up in layers to give the impression of the rough rock face, and then thinned out to create the illusion of flowing water. It is a back and forth. In contrast to Gustav Klimt, who was making similarly allegorical works at the time, there is a softness and a subtle darkness to Potok. It reminds me that art isn't about answers, it's about the questions it provokes, the feelings it stirs.