On The Balcony 1936

Alexandre Jacovleff's “On The Balcony” unfolds in a world of soft brushstrokes and muted colours. Imagine him, standing before the canvas, the air thick with the scent of oil paint. There's a casualness to the brushwork that makes me think of Édouard Vuillard’s intimate interiors. The paint is applied in thin layers, allowing the texture of the canvas to peek through, creating a sense of immediacy and light. Notice how the brushstrokes define the folds of their clothing, and the way the light catches on their faces. Each stroke feels like a breath, a fleeting moment captured in time. The colour palette is restrained, dominated by earthy tones and blues. The contrast of colours creates a sense of depth and atmosphere. You can almost feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, and smell the scent of flowers wafting up from the garden below. Painting is like a conversation, and this artwork speaks to a long tradition of artists exploring the human form and the beauty of everyday life. It’s a reminder that art is not just about what we see, but how we see it.