O Barco 1915

Anita Malfatti made "O Barco" using oil paint, and you can almost feel her pushing the paint around, wrestling with it to capture this coastal scene. Look at the way she's applied the paint, especially in the sky – short, choppy strokes, thick with pigment. It's like she's trying to build the clouds right there on the canvas. And the colors, those warm yellows and oranges against the deep blues of the sea, create a real sense of drama. The brushstrokes around the boat are like gestures, full of movement. Malfatti’s mark-making reminds me of Van Gogh, who was so brilliant at using brushstrokes to convey not just what he saw, but what he felt. Both artists remind us that painting isn't just about representation, it's about expression.