Minaret la Balcic 1935

Samuel Mutzner painted Minaret la Balcic, though we don't know exactly when, with oils on canvas. You can tell Mutzner wasn't trying to hide the marks; it’s all about process. The texture, oh, it’s delightful! Thick daubs of paint make up the foreground walls and foliage, while the brushwork gets a little looser and flatter as we move towards the sea and sky. Look at the way he's rendered those greens – little jabs of viridian and emerald build up the forms of the trees and bushes. The rooftops are a warm mix of ochres and terracotta. Mutzner isn’t trying to give us reality, but something more... a feeling, a memory. It's like looking at a Vuillard, maybe, but with a bolder spirit. Both artists share that love for the tactile qualities of paint, though. Ultimately this is about capturing a moment, a fleeting impression, and trusting that the poetry of paint can do the rest.