Atpūta. 1972

Guntis Strupulis made this painting, Atpūta., with oil on canvas sometime during his short life. Look at how he’s built up the forms, layering dark greens and browns with brighter yellows to create a sense of depth. It’s like he's feeling his way through the scene. Up close you can see the materiality of the paint itself; there's a thickness to it, almost sculptural in the way it catches the light. Take the horse’s rump, for example. The brushstrokes are visible, each one a deliberate mark that contributes to the animal's solid, imposing presence. It's not just about representation; it’s about the process of making, the physicality of applying paint to canvas. Strupulis's approach reminds me of Courbet, in that both artists share a similar interest in depicting everyday scenes with a kind of unflinching realism. But Strupulis brings his own unique sensibility to the canvas, inviting us to contemplate the quiet beauty of ordinary moments. Ultimately, what makes this painting so compelling is its ability to embrace ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations and endless possibilities.