Figurines for Cunha Taylors 1913

This watercolor painting on paper is titled "Figurines for Cunha Taylors" by Jose de Almada-Negreiros. Look at the way the artist has used delicate washes and fine lines to create these elegant figures. It’s all in the details, the precision of the mark-making. I wonder what the artist was thinking as he built up these forms, layer by layer. The figures emerge from the paper, their personalities hinted at through their gestures and attire. There is a gentle quality in the painting, but I feel a tension between the artist's hand and the graphic impact of his imagery. Look how Almada-Negreiros has used the contrast of black and white stripes to define the woman's coat, making her stand out from the flat, pale background. It reminds me of Matisse’s use of pattern and decoration, but with a distinctly modern, almost theatrical flair. It’s like these two are players on a stage. Painting is like an ongoing conversation, isn’t it? A painter conversing with art history and with themselves. It’s a way to make sense of the world.