Ruins of Pompeii 1909

Fujishima Takeji captured these Ruins of Pompeii with oil on canvas, using earth tones and expressive brushstrokes. The trees, painted with vertical marks, reach upwards as if to bridge the gap between the ancient ruins and the sky. I like to think about Fujishima standing there, in front of the ruins, trying to capture not just what he saw but also what he felt. What does it mean to be an artist encountering the weight of history? The texture seems built up from many layers, like the layers of history itself. See how the brushstrokes almost vibrate with energy, like the air on a hot day? Painters are always in conversation with one another, across time and space. Fujishima, inspired by what came before, leaves something behind to inspire us and future artists. Painting is about more than just what’s on the surface; it’s about digging, questioning, and feeling our way through the layers of experience.