Intro Allegretto 2021

Michael Cheval made this painting, Intro Allegretto, and it’s a trip, right? Look at how he blends this surreal figure with these almost dream-like, watery landscapes. It’s like a stage set, waiting for a performance that's just about to begin. The texture here is so intriguing, isn't it? The way Cheval renders the fabric of the gown and the sheen on the cello; there's a real sense of layering, almost like glazing. And the colours! That juxtaposition of the warm reds and golds against the cool blues and greens creates this incredible tension. Take a peek at the bottom right. See those rocks? They look like small, individual strokes, building up to create depth. It all makes you think about how artists, even when painting something as seemingly straightforward as a portrait, are really playing with perception and narrative. I'm reminded of Magritte, but with a touch of theatre. It's like Cheval is inviting us into his own little world. A world that's open to interpretation and full of mystery.