Spring 1903

Lesser Ury made this painting, Spring, and it seems to be made with pastel. I’m drawn to how the marks in this piece aren’t trying to trick you into believing they’re real, but they do evoke a kind of visual memory. There's a softness in the pastel strokes that suggests a fleeting moment, like a memory fading at the edges. The artist has used pastel in layers to create a hazy, dreamlike quality, especially in the sky and water. Look how the colors blend, creating subtle gradations of light and shadow! The way the trees are rendered, with these almost scribbled marks, feels so alive. It's like Ury is capturing the very essence of spring, with all its chaotic energy and potential. Think of the way the Impressionists like Monet were drawn to similar subjects, interested in capturing light and atmosphere. But here, it feels more personal, more felt. There's a unique handwriting in the marks that’s all his own. It's a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about embracing the messy, unpredictable nature of the world and of ourselves.