Nude 1910

Roger de La Fresnaye made this painting, "Nude", with oil on cardboard; such humble materials! The palette is very limited, mostly fleshy, earthy tones with deep blues and browns used to describe the volume and shade. It’s like La Fresnaye is feeling his way around the body, tentatively building form out of planes of color. Up close, you can see how the paint is applied in these small, almost geometric strokes. Each mark feels so deliberate, like he's trying to understand the form of the nude through the act of painting itself. Look at the shadows under the breasts, or the way the light catches on her thigh - it’s all about these carefully placed dabs of color. The paint isn’t thick, but the layering creates a sense of depth. It's amazing how much he achieves with so little. La Fresnaye reminds me a little of Derain, a contemporary painter. They both were interested in Cubism, but used it in their own way. Just like art is like a conversation between friends, each voice is distinct, even when they’re riffing on the same idea.