Granada, the Roofs 1978

Tahir Salahov created this painting of the Granada rooftops with visible brushstrokes and a palette of whites, reds and blues. It looks like Salahov went at it with gusto, layering and shaping these forms into a harmonious composition. I can imagine him standing before the canvas, brush in hand, squinting at the scene before him. The paint is applied with such physicality; you can almost feel the weight of the brushstrokes and the texture of the paint. Notice the subtle blues and greys that define the architectural volumes. The shadows are thick and bold, adding a graphic quality. Salahov's simplified forms remind me of David Hockney. There's a similar interest in flattening space and playing with perspective. Ultimately, "Granada, the Roofs" is a testament to the power of observation and the ability of painting to capture a sense of place.