The spring of the Life 1905

Noè Bordignon painted "The Spring of Life" with oil on canvas at a time when painters were really thinking about the relationship between the figure and the landscape. I am interested in the way that this painting creates a sense of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. There's a stillness to this painting that comes from Bordignon's delicate touch, and look at that sky! It feels so real, like you could reach out and touch the clouds. I like the contrast with the girl's yellow vest, that catches the light and really pops against the grays and greens of the landscape. Notice the texture of the paint, especially in the way he renders her skirt. It feels almost like he's sculpting with the paint, creating a sense of depth and movement. The young woman’s bare feet are a nice detail too, showing how she is connected to the Earth. This painting reminds me a little of Corot and his knack for capturing the subtle nuances of light and atmosphere, and the way both painters have a knack for capturing a figure that seems both present and also a bit lost in thought. Art is a conversation, and Bordignon is right in there!