City Scene 1910

William James Glackens made this 'City Scene' with pastel, and it's the kind of piece where you can almost feel the artist feeling his way through the world. Glackens lays down these marks, not trying to nail down a perfect picture, but more like capturing a mood. Look at the tree on the left—it's a flurry of browns and grays, almost like a blur, yet it feels so solid and present. The surface is soft and chalky. It's like he's inviting us to touch it. And then there's the couple by the tree. They're not sharply defined, but you get a sense of their closeness, their shared moment amidst the city's hustle. It reminds me a little bit of Bonnard, that feeling of intimacy and fleeting moments. Glackens isn't trying to give us answers; he's just showing us a slice of life, full of its own mysteries and beauty.