Baigneuses 1912

Nasreddine Dinet made this painting called “Baigneuses” with what looks like oil paint on canvas. I like to imagine him setting out to capture this scene of two women at a stream, probably somewhere in Algeria. Look at the woman kneeling. I imagine Dinet starting with the overall shapes, then adding those pants with their little red flowers, almost like he’s planting them there. And then those silver anklets and bracelets—they catch the light and give the whole scene a touch of sparkle. I bet Dinet had a great time with all those details. Dinet reminds me a bit of other painters who were interested in capturing light and form, like Renoir, but he brings his own perspective to it. It’s like they’re all having this conversation across time. And I think, ultimately, that’s what painting is—a big, ongoing conversation where we can all participate.