Yarralumla 1932

Grace Cossington Smith made "Yarralumla" with what looks like oil paint, using small brushstrokes to build up the image, sort of like mosaic tiles made of color. What's striking is how she uses these strokes to create a sense of light and air, especially in that big, luminous tree. You can almost feel the sun on your face. The way she layers colors, like the soft pinks and blues in the sky, or the greens and yellows in the lawn, gives the painting this shimmering quality. It’s like the whole scene is breathing. And then there's that archway, framing the view like a stage set. The red brushstrokes make it feel rough and immediate. I think of Bonnard, who was similarly interested in domestic scenes and light. Both artists create worlds that feel intensely personal and alive. It's like they're inviting you to step into their own way of seeing.