Still Life 1948

Giorgio Morandi made this "Still Life" with oil on canvas; its exact date is unknown, but I like to imagine him making this over a long period. It’s a slow painting. The objects appear muted, almost as if they're fading into the background. Look at how the colors barely differ, and how he’s blended those subtle hues together. There's a tactile quality here, a kind of gentle, repetitive application of paint. The canvas has a tight weave – like you're looking through a screen. The brushstrokes are soft and deliberate, especially noticeable around the edges of the objects. Take, for example, the way he defines the lip of that bottle on the left; it's just enough to suggest form without being too assertive. It’s quiet, meditative. Morandi reminds me of Agnes Martin, maybe it’s the dedication to reduction and the commitment to art as a space for contemplation. Both artists create artworks that are open to multiple interpretations.