Maison au toit rouge 1933

This is Maison au toit rouge, or House with Red Roof, by Pablo Picasso. There’s something delightfully slapdash about the brushwork, like he’s in a hurry to capture the essence of the place. Look at those greens, all churned together! You can almost smell the damp earth and the overgrown garden. The surface feels raw, exposed. You can see the weave of the canvas peeking through, especially in the sky. It’s not about hiding the process, it’s about revelling in it. See how the red paint of the roof isn’t trying to be realistic. It’s just a splash of pure, unadulterated colour, like a kid let loose with a paintbox. That bold application of colour reminds me of Matisse, someone else who wasn't afraid to let emotion dictate form. Ultimately, this painting is a reminder that art is about feeling, not just seeing. It’s about capturing a fleeting moment and preserving it in a burst of colour and texture.