Cleopatra's Barge 1939

Andre Bauchant painted "Cleopatra's Barge" with what looks like a mix of oil and maybe tempera, resulting in a surface that’s smooth, almost glassy, and a palette that leans into these dreamy, muted reds and greens. It's like he's building up the scene layer by layer, each one carefully considered. What strikes me is the way Bauchant handles the crowd on the barge. They’re not just a mass; each figure seems to get its own little bit of attention, like individual brushstrokes adding up to a whole. Look at that red sail, how it catches the light, almost flat, against the detailed figures. There's something so charming about the way he balances these simple shapes and complex textures. Bauchant reminds me a bit of Henri Rousseau, another artist who was self-taught, embracing a kind of naive style with so much detail. It’s a testament to how art can be this ongoing conversation, where different voices and visions find their place. It makes you wonder, what happens when we let go of needing to get it "right," and just start making?