Summer Studio #2 1948

Perle Fine made this painting, Summer Studio #2, with what looks like oil paint, and a constructive, intuitive feel. The colours and shapes are clearly defined, yet there is a sense of open-endedness and play within the composition. There is a real push and pull in the material handling of this painting; a considered application of geometric forms and bold colours, and subtle, softer shapes. The surface has a chalky, almost fresco-like quality, with thin layers of paint allowing the textures beneath to peek through. It's in the smaller details that the painting becomes most rewarding, in particular, the ladder-like form in the lower right corner. Here, Fine employs fine lines to create a sense of depth and dimensionality, contrasting with the flatter areas of colour nearby. Fine’s work is like a conversation with other greats like Hilma af Klint. It’s proof that art is about an ongoing conversation.