Houses on the Outskirts of Bucharest 1930

Iosif Iser painted these houses on the outskirts of Bucharest with oil on canvas, but we don't know exactly when. The brushstrokes are quick and loaded with muted colours, it all speaks of a process that’s more about feeling than replicating. Look closely, and you’ll see how Iser uses the materiality of paint to capture the scene's essence. There's texture everywhere, especially in the foreground, with thick daubs of ochre and sienna creating an almost tangible earthiness. See how the rooftops bleed into the foliage? It’s like the town is breathing, or perhaps, slowly dissolving back into the landscape. Iser’s work reminds me a bit of Cezanne, that same interest in simplifying forms and capturing the underlying structure of the world. Ultimately, this painting invites us to embrace the fluidity of perception, reminding us that meaning isn't fixed but emerges through our engagement with the artwork.