Landscape with Cow 1924

Maggie Laubser made this painting, "Landscape with Cow" with oil paint, and lots of it! Look at the way the colors sit next to each other, creating a beautiful contrast between the yellow of the sun, the purple of the sky and the dark green of the landscape. It's like she's trying to capture a fleeting moment, a mood, a feeling. I can imagine her, brush in hand, quickly laying down these strokes, trying to keep up with the changing light. She’s not just copying what she sees; she's interpreting it, rearranging it, making it her own. See the curves of the road? The softness of the mountains in the background? The way Laubser applied the paint is so direct and honest. It reminds me of other expressionist painters who weren’t afraid to show their hand, to leave a trace of their presence in the work. It's like she's inviting us to join her in this experience.