Untitled 1931

This ‘Untitled’ painting by Auguste Herbin is probably made with oil paint, looking at the flat surfaces of bright colors. The shapes are clearly defined, with a palette that's bold and unapologetic, which makes the whole piece feel alive. Looking closer, notice the texture – or lack of it! The paint seems deliberately smooth, almost like a print, which I find very interesting, given how tactile painting usually is. It’s as if Herbin is trying to remove the hand of the artist, making it less about expression and more about pure form. My eye keeps getting drawn to that central oval shape, the way it contains and divides the composition. It’s like a puzzle, daring you to solve it, but maybe the point is not to solve it at all, but to enjoy the game. Herbin's reminds me a little of Leger, but more playful. It feels good to get lost in it.