Girl’s head in front of a window c. 1902

Paula Modersohn-Becker made this oil painting, "Girl’s Head in Front of a Window," layering color upon color. Look closely, and you can see how the paint is applied, almost dry-brushed in places, which gives the surface a kind of gritty texture. The girl's face seems both present and distant, with subtle tonal variations that suggest a quiet interiority. I'm really drawn to the window and the garden behind it. The way the light filters through the glass, blurring the distinction between inside and outside, reminds me of how we often perceive our own thoughts and emotions. It's like looking at a memory, faded yet vivid. Modersohn-Becker, who died so young, was doing things with paint that feel connected to artists like Matisse and others who were exploring the expressive possibilities of color and form. It’s a conversation across time, an ongoing experiment with how we see and feel the world.