Paysage mystique 1979

Francis Bott made this painting, Paysage mystique, and it's like stepping into a hall of mirrors, or maybe an artist's studio. It is a complex and surreal space created with oil paint in muted tones. I imagine him considering his own work and the work of others. Maybe he was looking at de Chirico or Magritte. He has arranged images within images, and architectural forms. Consider the way Bott handled the surface. The paint is applied smoothly, almost clinically, which heightens the sense of unease and mystery. And look at the color! The cool grays and blues create a sense of distance, while the pops of red draw you into the paintings. It has such a stillness. Bott's process is all about layering and juxtaposition, creating a dialogue between different styles and eras. Painting is an endless conversation, where artists borrow, steal, and transform ideas across time. I find it reassuring.