Still Life, No. 1 1912

Marsden Hartley made this painting, *Still Life, No. 1,* with thick, confident strokes of oil paint, really relishing the process. The colors are boisterous, not exactly natural, but they vibrate together in a way that feels good, you know? The surface is alive. Look how Hartley layers the paint, building up texture, especially in those patterned fabrics in the background. He wasn’t trying to hide the marks, but really flaunting them, like each dab of color is a little decision, a tiny act of freedom. The way he renders that orange sitting on the table, casting a shadow onto the white tablecloth, is particularly striking. It's like he’s saying, "Here I am, claiming space with this bold declaration of color and form." Hartley reminds me of Cézanne with his still life paintings. There’s a similar obsession with simplifying forms, and a sense of humble appreciation for the everyday objects around us. He's not trying to trick you into thinking this is reality, he wants you to see the joy in the painting itself.