Jolts of a Cab 1911

Carlo Carra made this painting with what looks like an explosion of oil paint applied in short, frantic strokes. The overall texture is rough and energetic, like he’s trying to capture not just the image of a cab ride, but the sensation of it too. I love how the colors vibrate against each other - greens, yellows, and browns, with flashes of red suggesting the chaos of the city. Take a look at the lower left corner where the brushstrokes are especially thick and layered. You can almost feel the speed and vibration of the vehicle. Carra was part of the Futurist movement, and this painting is a great example of their obsession with speed, technology, and the dynamism of modern life. It reminds me a little of Umberto Boccioni’s work, with its focus on capturing movement and energy. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about what you see, but how it makes you feel.