Autumn 1909

Maxime Maufra made this painting, Autumn, most likely en plein air, with oils, capturing a fleeting moment in nature. Just look at the way he builds up the leaves, a mosaic of greens, yellows, and browns. It's all about process, about how the paint goes on to create an impression of light and atmosphere. There's something so tactile about this painting, isn’t there? You can almost feel the rough bark of the trees, the cool air, and the dampness of the ground. See how Maufra layers his brushstrokes, building up the texture, giving depth. Take a close look at the main tree, see how each dab of paint suggests the turning of the leaves. It’s like he’s saying, “Here’s the world, one brushstroke at a time.” Maufra was a contemporary of the Impressionists, and you can definitely see their influence here, but also something else, something a little wilder, maybe more like Van Gogh. Ultimately, it is up to you what to take from this painting, which is the beauty of artmaking.