Bauerngehöft in Frankreich 1916

Otto Mueller’s ‘Bauerngehöft in Frankreich’ is a painting on canvas of a French farm, but it’s really all about the chalky textures and muted tones, which give it a sense of quiet. It's all so delicately balanced - the weight of the red roof against the pale blues of the sky. Look at the way the paint seems almost dry-brushed in places, creating a soft, powdery surface. The whole thing feels like a memory fading at the edges. Then there's that figure, nestled behind the wall. So small, almost hidden, but so central to the whole vibe of the piece. Is it the artist in repose? I love how the whole scene seems to breathe with a kind of melancholy. This reminds me of the work of Paula Modersohn-Becker, in its simplicity and sensitivity to the everyday.