Masks 1940

"Masks" was made by Cyprián Majerník using what looks like gouache paint, you can see how the marks build up into the image, one stroke at a time. It's all about the making. I love how Majerník’s brushstrokes feel both considered and off-the-cuff. Look at the background, how the muted browns and grays create a somber mood, but also, how the paint is applied in such a casual, almost slapdash way. You can see the texture of the paper coming through in places, which gives the piece a raw, immediate feel, like it was dashed off in a moment of intense feeling. And the masked figures add to that sense of mystery and unease, a bit like those haunting paintings by James Ensor. Ultimately, "Masks" invites us to embrace ambiguity. It reminds us that art is not about providing answers, but about raising questions.