San Juan Capistrano Mission Side Altar from the portfolio "Decorative Art of Spanish California" 1935 - 1942

This print of a side altar from the San Juan Capistrano Mission shows how colour can create something new. The artist, who is unknown, must have worked carefully to build up these layers of colour. It's interesting how flat all the colours are, especially the dusky pinks and pale blues, there’s no shading or modeling, just bold shapes next to each other. This isn’t a naturalistic depiction of flowers or an altar. It's more like a pattern, a textile, a design. It has a calm vibe, as if the artist wanted to preserve a record of something, but without being too fussy about the details. Look at the flower petals, how they are edged with a slightly darker tone, like a shadow. This reminds me a little of Matisse’s cut-outs, you know, how he used simple shapes and colours to make something so full of life. It's a reminder that art isn't about getting things 'right' but about making something you want to look at, something that speaks to you.