Dry Dock on Curaçao 1959

Suzanne Perlman made this oil on canvas, *Dry Dock on Curaçao*, with a process of layering that feels very intuitive. The painting is a vibrant, abstracted landscape that invites us to experience the world through her eyes. There’s a real material presence here. The paint is applied in visible strokes, thick in some areas, thin in others, giving the surface a lively texture. Look at the way she’s built up that yellow path. It’s not just flat color; it’s a physical thing, with each brushstroke contributing to its form. The blues and greens of the water are broken up by blocks of grey and brown, creating a scene that's both recognizable and wonderfully strange. That black form in the foreground is so intriguing. Is it a machine? A vehicle? Its abstract shape invites us to bring our own interpretations to the table. Perlman, like Bonnard perhaps, shows us that painting isn't about capturing reality, but about creating a new one. It's an ongoing dialogue between the artist, the medium, and the world around them.