The Cloud 1921

Juan Gris’ painting, "The Cloud," shows an artist playing with form, flattening space with tans and blues. The guy's arranging a still life, right? So, there’s a guitar, newspaper, and a cloud peeking through what looks like a window behind. Gris is putting all these objects together, and then breaking them apart through painting! Think about what it was like to be in his studio. He would be looking at the objects from different viewpoints to create the painting. That brown block labeled “JRNAL” is jutting out, while behind it is a strange mountain range. Is that paper really in front? We can only assume from the title that we are outside somewhere, looking at a cloud in the distance. Painters like Gris were having a conversation. What would Cezanne think? How can I push his ideas further? Each artist builds on what came before, reimagining the world through paint. I am so grateful for these painters.