Venice 1924

Aleksandra Ekster made this painting, Venice, with oil paint, layering angular geometric shapes. It's like the city is exploding, a vibrant, almost chaotic process of abstracting form. Look at the materiality of the piece, the surface, and the density of the paint; see how these elements shape the emotional experience. There's a thick impasto in parts, especially in those swirling vortex shapes, giving the painting a real sense of depth and movement. Those dark, sharp lines really give it definition, creating a dynamic interplay between the colours and forms. "Venice" reminds me of some of the Italian futurists, like Boccioni, who were also interested in capturing movement and energy in their paintings. But Ekster brings her unique sensibility to it, embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations. It really invites us to see the world in new ways, breaking it down and building it back up again.