Nature Morte Au Dindon 1921

Jacques-Émile Blanche made this oil painting, "Nature Morte Au Dindon," with visible brushstrokes that really let you see his process. The colors here are very earthy, mostly browns and greens, which give a somber feeling. Looking closely, the paint is applied in layers. You can see how Blanche built up the forms, like with the turkey's feathers, using short, quick strokes. The dark, almost black, turkey contrasts sharply with the white towel beneath, drawing your eye right to it. The small knife and the few leeks are nonchalantly placed and feel like a suggestion of a narrative. It’s like a stage set for a story. The way Blanche handles the paint reminds me of Édouard Manet, who also used loose brushwork to capture the essence of a scene. Blanche isn't trying to trick us into thinking this is real. It's a painting, and he wants you to know it. That tension between representation and abstraction is where the magic happens.