Paris, Le Quartier De Vaugirard c. 1910

Maximilien Luce created this painting of Paris, Le Quartier De Vaugirard with oil paint, and it’s all about how marks can build a world. I think Luce is reminding us that a painting isn't just a picture, it's a made thing. The surface is alive with brushstrokes, little dashes, and dabs of color that feel like they're breathing. Look closely, and you can almost feel the energy of the artist's hand moving across the canvas. I’m drawn to the smoke rising from the chimneys on the left, how it softens into the sky, a soft cloud against the warmth of the setting sun. The buildings and trees are painted with the same energetic brushstrokes, there’s a kind of harmony in the way Luce has built the scene. Thinking about other artists who play with light and color like this, I'm reminded of Pissarro, and how he captured the changing atmosphere of the city. These paintings are not about perfection, they invite us to get lost in the beauty of the process.