The Seine c. 1902

Henry Ossawa Tanner painted "The Seine" with oil on canvas, and just look at that peachy light! It really strikes me how Tanner saw art-making as a journey. It’s like he let the painting happen, rather than forcing it to be something specific right away. The surface of this work is so interesting. See how the paint isn't trying to hide itself? It’s laid on in these buttery strokes that catch the light. The colours are mostly muted – soft pinks, grays, and blues – but they create such a warm, hazy atmosphere. Take a look at the way the water reflects the sky; those horizontal strokes seem to shimmer. It's almost like the paint itself is water! The two tall towers, they look as if they are the result of just letting the brush float on the surface. Tanner’s work reminds me of Whistler, with his hazy, dreamlike scenes. And just like with Whistler, it’s less about the literal scene and more about a mood, a feeling, a sense of place. Art’s always about this ongoing conversation, right? A dance of ideas and influences.