Florence, Viale dei Colli 1909

This is Pekka Halonen’s impression of Florence, Viale dei Colli. It’s hard to say when it was made, but look at the brushstrokes; see how they dance and flicker, capturing the light and atmosphere of the Italian landscape? I can almost feel Halonen standing there, squinting in the sun, trying to capture the essence of this place with quick, intuitive gestures. What was he thinking when he made it? The road is rendered in broad, sweeping strokes of pale blue, that feels so fresh and cool. The trees are like soft explosions of green and gold. It’s not about precision, but about feeling the warmth of the sun, the gentle breeze. I love the way Halonen embraces ambiguity, leaving space for the viewer to fill in the gaps with their own imagination. The composition of the painting is a testament to the artist’s interest in visual experimentation and innovation. Painters are always in conversation, aren’t they? Each one building on the work of those who came before.