A Measure of Dreams c. 1908

Arthur Bowen Davies made “A Measure of Dreams” with oil paint, probably sometime around the turn of the century. The color palette is muted, like a memory, and the forms are soft, as if they're still emerging. I'm drawn to the way the paint is applied – thin in places, allowing the canvas to breathe, and thicker in others, creating a sense of depth and texture. Take a look at the way the artist handles the clouds. They're not just clouds; they're built up with layers of paint, almost sculptural. This reminds me that art is as much about the physical act of making as it is about the image. And that nude figure, pale against the earth tones, looks vulnerable and strong at the same time, which reminds me of a Whistler painting. But instead of realism, he's giving us a symbol. Is it about the past, the future, desire, hope? Maybe it's about all of them, or none of them. That's the beauty of art, isn't it? The questions it asks, not the answers it gives.