At Figaro’s [at a hairdresser’s] 1917

Zygmunt Waliszewski made "At Figaro’s" using an uncertain medium. You can see the hand of the artist in the sketchy lines and translucent washes of colour. It’s clear that Waliszewski isn’t trying to hide anything – he wants us to see the thinking behind the painting. The surface is busy with small details, like the funny little dog on the left, and the frenetic hatching on the right. Everything seems to be moving, as if Waliszewski wanted to capture the energy of the salon rather than any fixed image. The palette is restrained and subtle, with a mix of pastel shades that makes everything feel light and airy. The colours aren’t laid down in blocks but mixed into the lines. Waliszewski’s approach reminds me of Watteau, who also used loose, painterly lines to create a sense of movement. Like Watteau, Waliszewski embraces ambiguity, allowing the viewer to fill in the gaps and create their own story.