Morning in the Oasis of Alkantra 1913

Maxime Maufra painted this landscape, Morning in the Oasis of Alkantra, with oil on canvas, using small brushstrokes and dabs of color. I see a real investment in the physical process of artmaking. Looking closely, the painting’s surface feels both immediate and considered. The paint application varies, with some areas thickly impastoed and others thinly glazed. In the lower foreground, notice the lively brushwork describing the bushes, each stroke distinct and full of energy, capturing the light as it hits the leaves. The ochre rocks fade as they recede, making the distant mountains appear soft and dreamlike. The color palette, dominated by warm earth tones and cool blues, creates a sense of harmony and balance, even as it describes very different textures. Maufra's interest in light and atmosphere reminds me a little of Monet, but with a more grounded, earthly feel. Ultimately, this is a painting that invites us to slow down and see the world around us with fresh eyes.