Arabs walking in the storm 

Editor: We are looking at "Arabs walking in the storm" by Mariano Fortuny Marsal. It looks like watercolor on paper, but I am unsure about the date. It’s a rather evocative and tumultuous composition! What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Indeed, the painting exudes a palpable sense of motion and impending drama, primarily achieved through its sophisticated manipulation of color and form. Notice how the muted palette—dominated by greys, browns, and subtle blues—effectively conveys the oppressive atmosphere of the storm. The brushstrokes themselves are short, gestural, and seemingly hurried. How does this effect convey dynamism? Editor: I see, the dynamism comes from the visual chaos, the suggestion of wind and struggle, it’s as though the artist quickly sketched the scene in order to capture a moment in time! So, beyond the obvious visual impressions, what’s noteworthy about his formal choices? Curator: Precisely! Note too that Fortuny’s composition avoids a clear focal point; instead, the figures are distributed unevenly across the plane, contributing to a sense of disorientation and precariousness. Also of interest is Fortuny's visible underpainting, suggesting that the finished work has elements of abstraction while also retaining figurative content. Does it look intentional or like the piece is unfinished? Editor: Hmm… Intuitively, it seems to add to the rough energy of the storm itself. It's fascinating how these artistic choices create a unified feeling! I initially didn’t consider all of the structural and material details of it, but now they make it so compelling. Curator: Indeed, by attending to the formal elements, we gain deeper insights into how art communicates meaning and emotion through intrinsically artistic means. Editor: It also reveals the intention behind what an untrained eye might perceive as merely “unfinished.” Thanks!