Valley of the Sédelle at Pont Charraud White Frost c. 1903 - 1911

Armand Guillaumin's painting, 'Valley of the Sédelle at Pont Charraud, White Frost,' is slathered on with juicy marks. It feels like he made it outside, squinting. It's like he put down what he saw, but also what he felt. I love the way the surface undulates with thick paint. It’s not just a picture; it’s an object, almost a relief. See how the little strokes of blues and pinks create the illusion of frost? It's like he’s not just painting the landscape, but also the light, the chill in the air. That little patch of orange in the lower center is so good. It sings against the cool blues, bringing the whole painting alive. For me, these small moments of color, hold the key, each one is like a little world unto itself. It reminds me a little of Van Gogh, but maybe a bit more subtle, more French. It is like he's not afraid to let the paint be itself, to show the process. It's an invitation to slow down, to really see, and to feel.