Nu 1925

This painting, Nu, was made with oil paint in 1925 by René Magritte. Look at the scene: a pale, elegant nude stands in front of what could be a folding screen in shades of black, white and grey. A snowy landscape is visible to the left. I think what's interesting is how the shapes are rendered so flatly, as if the artist is trying to make something solid seem totally artificial. I wonder if Magritte felt restricted by traditional forms, and maybe that's why he chose to challenge them? I have felt like this at times. I love how his style evolved over time. Painters are always playing with ideas, borrowing or rejecting what others do. Each gesture, each color choice is part of a conversation that stretches across time. We keep learning from each other. And that’s why painting stays fresh.