The Open Window 1921

Juan Gris made this painting, called "The Open Window," without a specific date given, using a limited palette of grays, browns, and blues. The muted tones create a sense of calm, but also a quiet tension. It’s like he’s wrestling with how to represent reality in paint. The surface is smooth, almost matte, and he’s carefully blended the colors so there’s not much visible brushwork. It’s a very deliberate process, one of layering and refining. Look at the way he renders the light coming through the window. The light isn’t just painted on, it’s built up with layers of color that create depth and form. The whole painting feels like a puzzle made of shapes and colors, kind of like what Braque was doing at the time. In a way, Gris is telling us that art is an ongoing conversation, a constant process of questioning and exploring.