Fountain in the Park Marquayro 1905

Henri Martin painted this dreamy garden scene, Fountain in the Park Marquayro, with oil paints, though the date of its making is unknown. Looking closely, I see the paint's dabbed on, not smooth at all. Each little stroke feels separate, yet they all come together to make a real place, like when you see the world through a screen door. There's something physical about the way he builds up the leaves and flowers, spots of light and dark create an impressionistic patchwork of colour that gives the impression of depth. This is not just about seeing; it’s about feeling the warmth of the sun, smelling the flowers. The statue on the right, almost lost in the foliage, it’s like a secret whispered in the garden. It reminds me a bit of Bonnard, how he used colour to create a mood, to make you feel like you're right there in the middle of it all. Like Bonnard, Martin invites us to find our own way through the painting. It is about more than any single reading, it is about the possibility of readings.