The English yacht 1906

Raoul Dufy painted this yacht, likely in France, using oils, with a lightness that just makes you want to breathe deep. It's like he’s sketched the scene with paint, a real testament to process. The paint is applied thinly, almost like watercolor in places, allowing the canvas to breathe through. Look at the flags atop the masts! They are just joyful daubs of red, yellow, and blue – totally playful. Dufy isn't trying to capture every detail, but the overall feeling of a breezy day by the sea. Notice how the reflections in the water aren't exact copies of the boat, but kind of jazzy, improvised versions. Dufy reminds me of Matisse, especially in his joyful use of color and the way he flattens space. Both artists share that sunny disposition in their work, like they’re always looking for the pleasure in everyday life. This painting is like a visual song, simple but catchy.