Garden at Vaucresson 1936

Édouard Vuillard painted this garden scene, presumably in France, with oil on canvas. Look at how the paint is brushed on in soft, broken strokes, creating a tapestry-like surface. This way of working feels so intuitive, like watching a garden grow spontaneously. Up close, you can see the texture of the canvas peeking through in places, giving the painting a slightly rough, unfinished quality. It is as if the air and light are shimmering through a screen of foliage. Notice how the greens and blues blend together, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The way the artist uses color feels very emotional to me. The pink of the dress is echoed by other colors in the painting, making the figure feel integral to the whole scene. Vuillard’s work, like that of his contemporary Pierre Bonnard, shares affinities with the earlier paintings of Edgar Degas. All three artists were interested in capturing everyday life, yet embraced ambiguity, leaving space for multiple interpretations.