River Uzh 1930

Adalbert Erdeli painted this landscape, River Uzh, probably in the first half of the 20th century, with oil on canvas. Look at the way he's laid down the paint, almost scrubbing it in some areas, especially in the sky and the distant fields. It’s like he's building up the image, not just depicting it. There's a real physicality to this painting. The paint isn't too thick, but you can see the strokes, the way the brush moved. Notice how the colors reflect in the water, not quite realistically, but with a kind of emotional truth. I keep coming back to those trees along the riverbank. Erdeli has given them a lovely purple hue, setting them apart from the surrounding greens and golds. It’s a simple choice, but it gives the whole scene a slightly dreamlike quality. This piece reminds me a little of Van Gogh, not in style, but in its raw, expressive energy. It is this kind of conversation across time and place that gives art its power. Remember, there's no one "right" way to see this painting. It's all about what it makes you feel.