Hardy Road in November, II 1963

Here we see John Bratby’s painting, ‘Hardy Road in November, II,’ made with thick oil paint, probably alla prima, you know, all in one go. It’s a scene viewed from an interior space looking out over some pretty typical looking houses. Bratby's got this impasto thing going on, where the paint is built up, all tactile and juicy. Looking closely, you can see how he’s used the brush to create these ridges and peaks of colour. It's like he's sculpting with paint. There's one part, the dark outline around that bay window on the right, it’s almost like a black cage, a way of seeing. It’s like the house is stuck behind it. Bratby reminds me a bit of Van Gogh, especially in the way he loads up the paint and uses colour to express emotion. But where Van Gogh is all swirling and romantic, Bratby is a bit more… raw. More matter of fact. In both, though, you see how painting can be this kind of physical, emotional release.