Backyard 1911

Istvan Nagy made this scene, called 'Backyard', with oil on canvas, though the date is unknown. Isn’t it amazing how a simple backyard can become so much more through paint? The colour palette is quite muted and organic, greens and browns with just a peek of blue sky. It’s all about process here, each stroke seems considered. Look closely at the grass in the foreground. It’s not just a field of green, is it? There are visible brushstrokes, a symphony of dark greens, highlights of yellow, and dashes of brown, creating a sense of texture. The surface of the canvas seems to dance, alive with the artist’s touch. It reminds me of Courbet in its earthy tones. The linear application of paint used to build the structure of the sheds is such a contrast, and this adds to the paintings charm. It's not trying to be photographic, it's trying to make something out of very little and that's very appealing to me. This piece feels like a cousin to Van Gogh's landscapes, with a similar intensity and directness. There are no fixed meanings here, just the beauty of seeing.