Roman Landscape 1908

Fujishima Takeji made "Roman Landscape" with paint, capturing a bustling park scene. What strikes me is how the painting seems to relish in the act of applying paint itself. It's not trying to trick us into thinking we're seeing reality; it's all about the joyful process. Up close, you can see the chunky, textured strokes. The colours are both muted and lively, creating this almost dreamy atmosphere. The way the figures are just suggested, with dabs and dashes of colour, gives the impression of movement, a crowd swirling through the park. Look at the ochre foreground, those little rectangles pushing forward, asserting their material presence. This reminds me of Vuillard, but with a Japanese sensibility to colour, maybe? It’s art about art, a conversation across cultures and time. It's not about answers but about embracing the endless possibilities of seeing.