Fête de Suquet 1932

William James Glackens made this painting, Fête de Suquet, probably with oils, using dabs of color to build up a scene of buildings and people. I’m fascinated by how the looseness of the marks creates a sense of movement and airiness, like a fleeting moment captured on canvas. Look at the way Glackens layers the paint, the strokes are visible. The buildings aren’t neatly outlined; instead, they emerge from a mosaic of peach, yellow, and lavender hues. And the figures? They’re more like suggestions of people, little dashes of color that give the impression of a lively crowd. I especially love the way the light hits the side of the building on the left, how those peachy-yellows almost glow. This reminds me a little of Bonnard, how he used color to create mood and atmosphere. It’s like Glackens is saying, “Here’s a feeling, a memory, a slice of life,” rather than a perfect representation. In the end, art is just that; an ongoing dialogue across time.