Houses 1962

In this painting, Tove Jansson uses oil paint to create what feels like a memory of houses. Look how the colors are applied in blocks, like a puzzle coming together. The brushstrokes are visible, almost frantic, giving the impression of a scene constructed from pure feeling. I wonder, was she trying to capture the essence of a place rather than its exact appearance? The way the colors are layered is interesting. Notice the blues and greens next to the reds and yellows, creating a vibrant tension. There's something touchable about the surface, built up with layers of paint, suggesting both the solidity and the ephemerality of memory. The way the paint drips in some areas, it’s like she’s letting the material speak for itself. It reminds me that painting isn't just about representation, it's about a conversation between the artist, the paint, and the world. Like so many other artists, Jansson shows us how a single painting can hold so many possibilities.