Nude 1919

This is René Magritte’s "Nude," made with oil on canvas in 1919. Look closely and you'll see how the paint is built up in layers, especially in the background, creating a real sense of depth and texture. It's like Magritte is feeling his way through the form, figuring it out as he goes. I’m drawn to the way Magritte uses color here. The flesh tones aren’t what you'd expect—there are greens and yellows mixed in, giving the figure an almost unreal quality. And the pops of red, especially in the face and breasts, are striking and a bit unsettling. If you look on the left side of the figure you can see this really interesting purple colour. It’s these kinds of moments that feel important, that feel like painting. Magritte was clearly experimenting with different styles and approaches, trying to find his own voice. You can see connections to artists like Picasso, but also hints of the surrealist sensibility that would later define his most famous work. Art's like that, it's a constant conversation and re-evaluation of ideas.