Šašek 1916

Josef Capek made Šašek with oil on canvas. The flat planes of colour are really what strike me here, each applied with a simple, visible brushstroke. The colours are quite muted, greens, blues and yellows with some black, red, and grey. There are hardly any curves in the painting, except for the red ring held by the figure and the floating balls in the top left. It’s interesting how the harlequin suit the figure wears is both flat and 3D at the same time. The way the diamonds recede into the body, creating shade. Capek was associated with Cubism and his brother was a writer, and they collaborated on many projects. It makes me think of Picasso and Braque, but with this quirky folk art twist. It’s a really beautiful and odd painting. Art doesn't need to be slick or serious to be smart.