A Couple 1939

František Hudeček made this moody painting, "A Couple", sometime in the 20th century. The thick paint, mostly blues and blacks, makes it feel like the whole scene is breathing. I can see Hudeček working intuitively, layering those dark tones to build up the forms. Look at the way the figures merge into each other, almost dissolving in the dim light. He lets the paint do its thing, creating texture and depth. That one stroke of light blue across their clasped hands—it’s like a spark, isn't it? I think he's playing with how we perceive things, how shapes emerge from darkness. It reminds me of some of the German Expressionists, like Kirchner, who were also interested in capturing the feeling of modern life. And then I think, all of us painters are in conversation with each other, borrowing and riffing off ideas. It’s all about feeling your way through the unknown, isn't it?