Still Life with Yellow Jar 1930

Kmetty János made this painting, "Still Life with Yellow Jar", with oils, and you can see how the painting has been built up through layers, with so many subtle variations in tone. I wonder if János started with that yellow vase, the clear, bright centre of the work; it's so present, so solid. Then maybe he added the fruit, those gorgeous oranges, and felt the painting needed more weight, which is why he added that big, dark chair. It really pulls the whole composition together. I sympathize with the artist trying to resolve all these problems of balance and color. He probably placed these objects on the table, moved them around, trying to get it just right! I love the knife on the edge of the table. It is an unusual touch but it is these details that make a painting special and reveal the artist's inner world. You know, he was part of a much bigger conversation about painting, and he was inspired by other artists to make this picture! It is about colour, shape, and form, and the way all of this can be captured in the materiality of paint!