Cafe in Yalta 1905

Konstantin Korovin made this painting, Cafe in Yalta, with oils in... well, we don't know when exactly. But it's on view here at the Tretyakov Gallery. Look at the way he's laid down these strokes, almost like dabs, to build up the scene. It's like he's not just painting what he sees but how he feels being there. The materiality of this piece, with its thick, textured paint, it's not just about depicting a cafe, it’s about the very act of painting. Focus on the area just under the trees. See how the light filters through? The way the colors blend but still have a definite shape, like leaves? It makes the whole scene feel alive. This approach reminds me a little of some of Manet's outdoor scenes. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what you think it means or represents. Isn't that the point?