Músicos 1954

Emiliano Di Cavalcanti made this painting of musicians sometime in the 20th century, probably with gouache or tempera on paper. I really like the way that he fearlessly outlines everything. The lines are all bold and black, making the forms look almost like a stained glass window, but with much flatter colors. I'm drawn to how the artist renders the shirt of the central figure, those thick stripes, and the way he crops the image so that those lines extend out of view. The whole composition seems to be built up with such a clear attention to geometric forms, but the artist makes sure to round out all the edges, as if he wants to create a sense of balance. This work reminds me of Stuart Davis, but with a distinctly Latin American sensibility. I love how both artists transform everyday scenes into something that feels both familiar and utterly new. Both explore how the energy of the city can be captured through bold colours and sharp lines. Anyway, art is just one big conversation!