The Gardens of Generalife in Grenada 1913

Theo van Rysselberghe made this painting of The Gardens of Generalife, probably with oil paint, to record his experience of a particular place. Look at the surface: it's built up from lots of tiny strokes of contrasting colour that create an overall shimmering effect. I think of making a painting as being a bit like knitting, the way the overall image is built up from small marks or stitches, each one essential to the whole. I love the way the sunlight flickers on the surface of the water, like a visual echo of the fountain. I think Rysselberghe has managed to convey the feeling of actually being there, experiencing the cool of the water and shade of the architecture. This reminds me a little of Bonnard and how he evoked familiar scenes. Both artists remind us that painting is not just about representing the world, but also about how we see and experience it.