Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Eglise Saint-Sulpice de Fougères (detail) 1919

This detail of a stained glass window in the Église Saint-Sulpice de Fougères, showing Jesus and the Samaritan woman, was made by Ludovic Alleaume. Looking at this cactus, rendered in shades of green and gold, I imagine Alleaume carefully selecting each piece of colored glass. How thrilling it must have been for him, arranging and rearranging the pieces, negotiating how light passes through. Each line, each color choice—they're all so deliberate. The plant has been brought to life using light as the key element. You can almost feel the textures, right? And you know, artists are always in conversation with each other, even across time. Alleaume’s use of light reminds me of Rothko, whose work invites viewers into a meditative state, engaging with simple blocks of color to discover new emotional depths. Just like the cactus that offers a refreshing glimpse into the artist’s mind, painting is an ongoing exchange of ideas, and it's up to us to listen.