White Vase 1996

Avigdor Arikha made this painting of a ‘White Vase’ using oil paint. You know, I'm immediately drawn to the way Arikha handles light and shadow. The subtle gradations on the vase, from almost-white to soft grays, create this quiet, contemplative mood. It's all about the process, isn't it? How each brushstroke builds up to form the object, but also, importantly, the atmosphere around it. Look closely at the surface of the table. You can almost feel the texture of the paint, thick in some areas, thinner in others. It gives the piece a real sense of depth, pulling you into the space. I love the way he leaves traces of his hand in the work, these little imperfections that make it feel so alive. Arikha's work always reminds me a little of Morandi, with its focus on simple, everyday objects and a muted palette. But where Morandi is all about stillness, Arikha has this restless energy, this sense of searching for something just beyond the surface.