Evening at the Sea 1909

Maxime Maufra made this painting, Evening at the Sea, with oil on canvas at an unknown date. The loose brushstrokes and gentle palette of pinks and blues and greens, suggest an interest in capturing a fleeting moment, something that is always just about to slip away. It makes me think of how we try to hold on to memories. Up close, you can see how Maufra builds up the surface with layers of paint, creating a rich, tactile quality. Look at the way he renders the rocks in the foreground, each daub of paint applied with a sort of freedom and confidence. I love how these marks create a sense of depth and texture, like you could reach out and touch the rough surface of the rocks. The painting reminds me of the work of Camille Pissarro, another artist who was interested in capturing the beauty of everyday life through colour and light. But in the end it's all a conversation, right? Each artist borrowing, responding, and building upon the ideas of those who came before.