Church by the River 1921

Henri Martin made this painting of a church by a river, and I wonder what he was thinking as he applied all those tiny strokes of color. Imagine him, brush in hand, trying to capture the light dancing on the water, the rough texture of the stone walls. There's something so optimistic about the way the paint is dabbed onto the canvas, like little bursts of energy. The palette is soft, with a gentle mix of blues, greens, and yellows that create a calm and inviting scene. I love how the dots of color build up the forms—the church, the houses, the trees—giving them a vibrant, almost shimmering quality. It’s a reminder that painting is an ongoing exchange. Artists build upon the ideas and techniques of those who came before, adding their own unique voice to the conversation. In the end, painting embraces uncertainty, inviting us to see and feel in new ways.