Harlequin and Pierrot 1924

André Derain made this painting of Harlequin and Pierrot, and it feels like something that’s been built up over time, shifting from one state to another through color and line. I can imagine Derain standing back, squinting, maybe a little frustrated, as he tries to bring these figures into focus. There’s a real sense of materiality in the way he applies the paint, not too thick, but enough to give the surface some texture and depth. Look at that diamond pattern on Harlequin’s suit—each lozenge is like a little world unto itself, a patchwork of colors that somehow come together to form a cohesive whole. The way that he renders the figures makes me think about Cézanne, maybe even a touch of Picasso in the angularity of the faces. I suppose it shows how artists are always in conversation with one another, borrowing ideas, and pushing boundaries. The painting feels unresolved, but maybe that’s the point. It’s like Derain is showing us that uncertainty and ambiguity can be just as powerful as clarity and definition.