Anne with a Gladiolus 1991

Avigdor Arikha made this pastel work, Anne with a Gladiolus, with soft, chalky marks that create a feeling of gentle light and muted color. It’s a study in process, you can see the build up, the layers of color blending into each other. The texture is soft but definite, and the color feels quiet. Look at the gladiolus. The sharp, quick strokes of greens and browns give it a vibrant energy. The flower is full of life, right there in the present moment, and it contrasts with the figure of Anne, who is turned away, looking off into the distance. It's a very casual pose. There is a sketchy quality to the piece, like a memory or a fleeting impression. Arikha worked a lot from direct observation, with a focus on capturing the immediate experience of seeing. You can feel him looking closely, trying to get it down as quickly as possible. Think of artists like Morandi, also dedicated to capturing the here and now in paint. It's a reminder that art is as much about the looking and the making as it is about the final product.