Retablo 1950

Here's a painting, Retablo, by Carlos Merida, but when and with what, I don't know... but let's imagine! The painting feels so methodical, but the colours so playful. It’s a sort of dialogue, isn't it, between the artist's will and the joy of seeing what emerges. I’m picturing Merida carefully composing these figures with his brushes and paints, arranging them like characters in a play. There's such clarity in the shapes, and yet an unsettling strangeness, too, which is lovely. They’re all raising their hands with spread fingers. Are they surrendering, or warding something off? Their features are sharp and minimal, and they’re set against a green ground, punctuated with these funny turquoise shapes. The painting’s texture isn't super obvious, but the colours are laid down in clean blocks. It gives the whole thing a feeling of crispness and precision, yet there’s also a sense of lightness. I like to imagine Merida was thinking about all the painting that came before him.