Autumn 1913

Rik Wouters's painting of Autumn seems to capture a moment, an intimate view framed by the window. I imagine Wouters, brush in hand, juggling the interior and exterior worlds, the figure and the landscape, pulling them together through color and form. There's a real tension between flatness and depth. The blue scarf and patterned curtain, set against the implied distance of the autumnal scene, create a dynamic, almost vibrating surface. The impasto is juicy. There's such a lively exchange between observation and invention, as if he's saying, "Here's how I see it, and here's how I feel it." It's like looking through someone else's eyes, or maybe even their heart. Wouters reminds me that painting isn’t just about representation, but about offering a unique encounter. It's like a visual poem, open to interpretation, resonating with the viewer in unexpected ways. It makes me wanna paint!