Marina Grande, Capri 1926

Konstantin Gorbatov captured this scene, Marina Grande, Capri, with oils in a way that feels like a fleeting moment, a quick sketch almost. I love how the materiality shouts at you, the paint is so thick and juicy; it’s like he’s sculpting with colour, not just painting. Look at how the blues and whites of the water are dabbed on with such confidence. There's a real physicality to it, a kind of organised chaos. Check out the way the buildings in the background are suggested with just a few strokes, capturing the essence of the architecture and the light. It’s as though he is saying, "Here's the vibe, catch it if you can." Reminds me a bit of some of the plein air painters, like John Singer Sargent, who were all about capturing the light and atmosphere in a direct, immediate way. It’s all about embracing the imperfect. The painting feels alive because it's not overworked. Art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas.