Bathers, Pas De Calais 1925

Algernon Talmage captured this scene of bathers in Pas De Calais with what looks like some pretty loose brushstrokes, creating a kind of hazy, dreamlike feel. The way he handles the paint is interesting, right? Look at the sky – it's not just blue, but a mix of blues and whites, dabbed on almost like he’s trying to catch the light flickering. Then, check out the figures, especially the one standing. The white robe isn't a solid block; it's got these subtle shadows and folds that give it weight and form. I wonder what kind of brush he used? You get the sense he was really present, responding to what he saw in front of him, rather than sticking to some pre-planned idea. Talmage reminds me a little bit of the Impressionists, like Monet, but with a slightly more grounded, English sensibility. It’s like he’s saying, “Yeah, life can be messy and uncertain, but there’s beauty in that too.”